The conversion of Puget Sound beaches into industrial aqua farms continues. For some participants, like the Tribes, it’s all about attempting to continue a tradition that goes back thousands of years, and now has an economic component to it. The Tribes are reaching the end of having high quality geoducks for the ever expanding Chinese market.
For others like Taylor, it’s all about profit. (nothing wrong with that, as they are working within the system). And with all the governmental entities, like NOAA, Department of Ecology, and others convinced that “nothing is wrong with expanding aqua farming on our shores”, there is little left but lawsuits for those attempting to slow or stop their expansion. Follow the money.
While the number of acres seems so small as to make the general population wonder, “what’s the issue?”, the conversion often takes place on very beautiful beaches, many times with expensive homes sitting right above the commercial farm. Who wants a sea of nets covering their beaches, or a compression going all night in December at low tide. No beaches will likely ever be converted back once they have been put into industrial use.
New geoduck farming rules are rolling out across Puget Sound, prompting a renaissance in the clam harvest and a growing movement to stop it. In the last decade, Taylor Shellfish has expanded geoduck farms by 30 acres, with another 25 awaiting permit. They produce 700,000 pounds of geoduck per year, through which hundreds of jobs have been created. Their nursery is filled with tens of thousands of growing geoduck seed…. Now, counties across Puget Sound are adopting the new geoduck rules. That’s prompted renewed interest, along with big demand in Asia. The Department of Ecology counts 28 new geoduck farm permits since 2012. However, geoduck growth has also grown grit from critics. Alison Morrow reports. (KING)