Publication Summary

In 2007 the Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee was established to provide advice on shellfish aquaculture. The legislation, Second Substitute House Bill 2220 (Chapter 216, Laws of 2007), directs the Committee to develop recommendations as to appropriate guidelines for geoduck aquaculture operations to be included in shoreline master programs.

Consensus recommendations of the Committee are listed in this summary.

In 2007 the Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee was established to provide advice on shellfish aquaculture. The legislation, Second Substitute House Bill 2220 (Chapter 216, Laws of 2007), directs the Committee to develop recommendations as to appropriate guidelines for geoduck aquaculture operations to be included in shoreline master programs. The membership of the Committee is diverse, including representatives of local government, the shellfish aquaculture industry, the environmental community, shoreline property owners, state agencies and tribal governments.

The Committee reviewed background documents, met with a wide range of experts on aquaculture and marine sciences, visited a geoduck aquaculture operation and discussed how geoduck aquaculture should be addressed by local shoreline master programs.

The Committee developed consensus recommendations on a number of issues. For issues where the Committee did not reach consensus, the Committee agreed to present the range of recommendations by Committee members in the report. Committee members continue to disagree on many issues and these disagreements lead to opposing recommendations. Only the consensus recommendations of the Committee are listed in this summary.