We Made History
TOGETHER, WE PERMANENTLY BANNED NET PENS!
We Made History
TOGETHER, WE PERMANENTLY BANNED NET PENS!
our powerful movement came together to make history for wild salmon, starving orcas, Tribal food security, & the Health of Puget Sound
Over 180 businesses and organizations and thousands of individuals came together under the Our Sound, Our Salmon banner to call on Washington State’s Board of Natural Resources to protect Puget Sound’s ecosystems by permanently banning commercial net pen aquaculture.
Thanks to this powerful coalition and Washington’s Tribal Nations— WE DID IT! On January 7, the Board members voted to approve the rule permanently banning commercial net pens in Washington marine waters, permanently protecting the health of Puget Sound for future generations.
Celebrating moments after the Board Members voted to permanently ban commercial net pen aquaculture in Olympia, WA.
In 2022, the collective efforts of our coalition, through the Taking Back Our Sound campaign, led to a groundbreaking decision by Washington Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary Franz who heroically denied applications from the billion-dollar corporation Cooke Aquaculture to lease over 100 acres of Puget Sound for the next decade.
At the same time, she issued a new executive order declaring the Department of Natural Resources' intent to permanently ban commercial net pen aquaculture in all state-managed marine waters. These actions forced Cooke to remove all their commercial net pens from Washington and began the process of amending DNR statutes to permanently prohibit this industry and ensure commercial net pens can never return in the future. In 2024, we celebrated the first year in four decades that Puget Sound was free from daily pollution and the devastating impacts that net pens cause in waters around the world.
During the rulemaking process, DNR reported that 80% of public comments opposed commercial net pens and supported the new rule. The majority of Washington’s Tribal Nations also expressed strong support for the rule, which included exemptions for non-commercial cultural and subsistence uses by Tribes.
The rulemaking process culminated in a final vote on January 7, 2025, by the Board of Natural Resources, which sets DNR policy. Ahead of the vote, Our Sound, Our Salmon delivered a petition supported by 186 businesses and organizations and 3,220 individuals to all of the Board Members. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who signed on!
After hearing two hours of testimony from Cooke and the industry, Tribal leaders, environmental leaders, and the public, the Board members cast a historic vote to permanently ban commercial net pen aquaculture in Puget Sound. This decision ensures this dangerous industry can never return to our public waters and aims to safeguard wild salmon, orcas, and the health of our public waters for future generations. In their deliberations, several board members highlighted that merely minimizing risks is insufficient; they asserted that completely avoiding risks is the only acceptable course of action in light of the crisis facing wild salmon and Southern Resident killer whales, along with the substantial sacrifices and investments made by the public, including DNR, towards their recovery.
This monumental victory is the direct result of a decade of relentless advocacy, unwavering dedication, and tireless collaboration. Together, we’ve reached an extraordinary milestone in the fight to protect Puget Sound, its ecosystems, and the communities that depend on it. Today, we can proudly declare that Washington is the first—and only—place in the world to successfully remove and permanently ban commercial net pens.
But let us not forget, this is just the beginning. Washington’s bold move is inspiring a global movement that will continue to grow and push forward with unyielding determination. The Board’s decision to—aiming not just to minimize, but to eliminate the harm caused by net pens— sets a new standard of environmental stewardship for governments and leaders in Washington and around the world. From British Columbia to Scotland, Chile, Tasmania, and beyond, this decision sets a powerful precedent that is lighting the way for others to follow. Together, we will ensure that this dangerous industry become a thing of the past—not just in Puget Sound, but in every region where this industry harms our waters, wildlife, and communities. Learn more about the global coalition working to eliminate this practice: Global Salmon Farming Resistance.
For nearly a decade, we’ve stood united, speaking truth to power, standing firm against corporate interests, and demanding a future where the health of our waters and wildlife is prioritized. Thanks to you, that future is here.
The decision to permanently ban commercial net pen aquaculture in Puget Sound is more than a triumph for us—it is a powerful statement of what is possible when people unite to challenge the status quo. This victory honors the strength and resilience of Tribal Nations, the tireless efforts of local communities, and the overwhelming will of the public who have championed a vision for a cleaner, healthier Sound. It is a testament to the power of collective action and the belief that when the people speak, lasting change is possible.
Thank you for being a part of this historic achievement. The future is ours to protect, and we look forward to continuing to work together with the same passion, dedication, and unity that has brought us here as we stand in solidarity with our allies in British Columbia and around the world.
Campaign Supporters
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Campaign Supporters
campaign supporters
Thank you to the 186 businesses and organizations and 3,220 individuals who Supported the Our Sound, Our Salmon petition to the Board of Natural Resources
Our Sound, Our Salmon coalition members celebrating at the Natural Resources building in Olympia, WA on January 7, 2025 moments after the Board cast a historic vote to ban commercial net pen aquaculture in all state-managed marine waters.
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We, the undersigned, respectfully urge you to approve the proposed rule to permanently ban commercial net pen aquaculture in Washington’s marine waters.
We strongly support Commissioner Hilary Franz and the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) 2022 decision removing all commercial net pens from Puget Sound. In 2024, Puget Sound is free from the daily pollution and damage caused by this industry for the first time in over forty years. We urge you to permanently prohibit this practice to ensure Puget Sound will continue to be protected for current and future generations.
As Board Members, you are entrusted with overseeing DNR’s mission to protect our environment, uphold Tribal treaty rights, and promote responsible stewardship. By adopting this rule, you will reinforce DNR’s leadership in preserving Washington’s public waters and resources for the benefit of all residents and Tribes.
In particular, the proposed rule is crucial for the protection of wild salmon, an iconic species vital to Washington’s environment, economy, and cultural heritage. While operating in Puget Sound over the last 40 years, this industry discharged massive amounts of daily untreated pollution, including fecal waste, feed, and pharmaceuticals; amplified and spread native and exotic viruses harmful to native wild fish; and caused chronic and catastrophic escape events, including the 2017 Cypress Island collapse that released over 260,000 nonnative, viral-infected farmed fish into Puget Sound. These negative impacts severely undermine state, Tribal, and federal commitments and investments in the recovery Washington’s wild salmon and their ecosystems.
With wild salmon and orcas in crisis, combined with the ever-growing threats of climate change, we cannot afford any more delays— now is the time to take action. This rule represents the culmination of over a decade of advocacy by communities, environmental groups, businesses, fishers, Tribal Nations, scientists, and others working together to safeguard Puget Sound and terminate commercial net pen aquaculture in our state waters. Most recently, 10,000 individuals, over 100 businesses, and numerous Washington Tribal Nations collectively appealed to Commissioner Franz and DNR to cease commercial net pen aquaculture and restore Puget Sound for the benefit and use of all.
Voting to permanently ban commercial net pen aquaculture will guarantee the public that Washington’s iconic wild salmon, Tribal food security and cultural practices, and the natural beauty and ecological integrity of Puget Sound will be protected for future generations.
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The petition was delivered to the following members of the Board of Natural Resources on January 6, 2025:
Hilary Franz, Chair of the Board, Commissioner of Public Lands— VOTED YESLisa Janicki, Vice-Chair, Commissioner, Skagit County— VOTED YES
Dan Brown, Director, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington— VOTED YES
Jim Cahill, Senior Budget Advisor, Designee for Governor Jay Inslee— VOTED YES
Chris Rekdal, Superintendent, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction— ABSTAINED/ NO VOTE
Wendy Powers-Schilling, Dean, College of Agriculture, Human & Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University— ABSTAINED/ NO VOTE
A copy of the petition was also delivered to the following Advisors to Governor Jay Inslee (Non-voters):
Robert Duff, Executive Director of Policy & OutreachRuth Musgraves, Senior Policy Advisor, Natural Resources
Carrie Sessions, Senior Policy Advisor, Environment & Water
Complete list of business and organizations:
4M SIGMA Corp
Amazing Space
Annie Roberts' Cello & Piano Studio
Around Again
Artisan SIP Plans
Atwa (Air Trees Water & Animals
Bainbridge Beach Naturalists
Bainbridge Island Watershed Council
Barnacle
Bateau
Blakely Island Maintenance Commission
Blue Heron Farm and Nursery,LLC
Blum Environmental Consultants, Inv
Boat Bar
Boxwood LLC
Bridge Partners
Broad Leaf Farm
Canalside Gifts & Liquors
Canyons Gate Vineyard LLC
Carole Dawes Art
Cascade Comforts LLC
Cascadia Landscape Design
Charro Restaurant
Clayoquot Action
Clearwater Fly Casters
Coastal Watershed Institute
Comeback Farm Organic Produce
Comedians On The Fly
Coopers Fly Fishing Guides
Country Glass & Door Inc.
Crescent Environmental PLLC
Deep Dive, Bar At The Spheres
Dive Into Your Imagination
Duke'S Seafood
Duna Fisheries
Earthscapes
Eco-Friendly Bnbs
Emerald Water Anglers
Emerger Strategies
Endangered Species Act Coalition
Enumclaw Plateau Community Association
Eric A Kessler Photographer
Fairy Congress LLC
Fauna Films, Inc
Fauntleroy Watershed Council
First Water Fly Goods
Fish Creek Consulting, LLC
Fly Fishers International, Washington Chapter
Freesia Therapy Collective
Freesol Photos
Friends Of Burley Lagoon
Friends Of Oakland Bay
Friends Of The San Juans
Frosty Hollow Ecological Restoration
Fulcrum Structural Engineers, PLLC
Full Bloom Farm
Fundacion Centinela Patagonia
Gardenculture Design
General Porpoise Doughnuts
Glenn Franko, Reator And Broker, Windermere Real Estate, Port Angeles
Global Federation Of Animal Sanctuaries
Golden Gate Market
Great Old Broads For The Wilderness, Polly Dryer Seattle Chapter
Green Vibes Plant Sitters
Greenhome Solutions
Gyrene Engineering
Hair Stylist, Salon Rise
Hapke Law Office
Harbor Ophthalmology
Herbal Elements
Indianola Good Neighbors
Intrinsic Design
Jacques Lacroix Design
Jd High Country Outfitters
Jd Phillips Finish Carpentry
Jefferson County Trash Task Force
Keystone Harbor Consulting LLC
Kitsap Environmental Coalition
Lactationtlc.Com
Law Office of Patrick E Pressentin
Law Scholars For Change
Leadscorz Inc
Leanos Lens
Legal Rights For The Salish Sea
Life Safety Systems, LLC
Lioness
Madrona Cafe
Magickal Wellness
Mangrove Action Project
Matts Moments Photography
Mercy For Animals
MT FLATBED, LLC
Multitude Insights
Native Fish Society
Nettles Farm
New Roots Institute
North Cascades Audubon Society
Northwest Design
Northwest Watershed Institute
Oceanic Preservation & Advocacy League
Od Pacific Consulting
Olympic Environmental Council
Olympic Forest Coalition
Olympic Penensula Audubon Society
One Fish Foundation
One4salmon.org
Orca Conservancy
Orca Network
Orca Tile And Stone
Organic Marketing Innovations Group, LLC
Our Wild Puget Sound
Owen Perry Interactive Design
Owner, Fishing Vessel Cynthia'S Chum
Pacific Northwest Social Scientists, LLC
Pacific Whale Watch Association
Parke Creek Farm
Patagonia Provisions
Patagonia, Inc.
Paul Beck, Realtor, Professional Realty Services, Port Angeles
Peace Lutheran Church, West Seattle
Peaches Hair & Body
Penn Cove Outfitters
Pilchuck Audubon
Pilchuck Business Consulting
Planttdaddii LLC
Prairie Road Farm
Protect The Pennisula
Puget Soundkeeper
Raincoast Conservation Foundation
Ravenna Gardens
Redefine You LLC
Rich Passage Homeowners Association
Richard Royal Studio
Rigby Architects
Rise2Live Transformational Wellness
Run Wild Artistry Photography
Salish Center For Susatinable Fishing Methods
Salish Sea Snapshots
Sea Creatures
Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club
South Seattle Climate Action Network
Speckled Trout Consulting
Spottswoode Winery, Inc.
Stoecker Ecological
Sunde &c Co., LLC
Sustainable Bainbridge
Tacoma Renovation & Remodel
Tait Contracting Inc
Terrell Marshall Law Group PLLC
The Conservation Angler
The Humane League
The Salish Sea School
The Walrus And The Caparenter
The Whale Wins Larder And Café
The Wildlife Trust
Topknotch Drone Solutions
Trails End Brewery
Trimaran Capital LLC
Trip Hart Law Office
Trout Habitat Specialists
Trout Unlimited California Council
United Women on the Fly LLC
Upkeep
Warm Valley Farm
Washington Fly Fishing Club
Washington Wildlife First
Watershed LLC
Watershed Watch Salmon Society
WedgeLife Lifting LLC
West Bottom Dogs
Western Ecology, LLC
Westerncap Associates
Westward
Whale Scout
Whidbey Audubon Society
Whidbey Environmental Action Network
White River Forest Protection Assoc.
Wild Fish Conservancy
Wild Human, LLC
Wild Orca
Wild Salmon Nation
Wildlife Carvings & Castings by Cavin Richie
Willmott'S Ghost
Willow & York Photography
Witch4Hire
World Salmon Forum