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State
Washington
Chapter 77.125 RCW Marine fin fish aquaculture programs


Chapter 77.125 RCW
Marine fin fish aquaculture programs





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77.125.010
Accidental Atlantic salmon release — Prevention measures.
Marine aquaculture net pen facilities in Washington state have accidentally released Atlantic salmon into Puget Sound. It is necessary to minimize escapes through the implementation of statewide prevention measures.


[2001 c 86 § 1.]




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77.125.020
Marine aquatic farming location — Defined.
For the purposes of this chapter, "marine aquatic farming location" means a complete complex that may be composed of various marine enclosures, net pens, or other rearing vessels, food handling facilities, or other facilities related to the rearing of Atlantic salmon or other fin fish in marine waters. A marine aquatic farming location is distinguished from the individual facilities that collectively compose the location.


[2001 c 86 § 2.]




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77.125.030
Development of proposed rules — Elements.
The director, in cooperation with the marine fin fish aquatic farmers, shall develop proposed rules for the implementation, administration, and enforcement of marine fin fish aquaculture programs. In developing such proposed rules, the director must use a negotiated rule-making process pursuant to RCW 34.05.310. The proposed rules shall be submitted to the appropriate legislative committees by January 1, 2002, to allow for legislative review of the proposed rules. The proposed rules shall include the following elements:

(1) Provisions for the prevention of escapes of cultured marine fin fish aquaculture products from enclosures, net pens, or other rearing vessels;

(2) Provisions for the development and implementation of management plans to facilitate the most rapid recapture of live marine fin fish aquaculture products that have escaped from enclosures, net pens, or other rearing vessels, and to prevent the spread or permanent escape of these products;

(3) Provisions for the development of management practices based on the latest available science, to include:

(a) Procedures for inspections of marine aquatic farming locations on a regular basis to determine conformity with law and the rules of the department relating to the operation of marine aquatic farming locations; and

(b) Operating procedures at marine aquatic farming locations to prevent the escape of marine fin fish, to include the use of net antifoulants;

(4) Provisions for the eradication of those cultured marine fin fish aquaculture products that have escaped from enclosures, net pens, or other rearing vessels found spawning in state waters;

(5) Provisions for the determination of appropriate species, stocks, and races of marine fin fish aquaculture products allowed to be cultured at specific locations and sites;

(6) Provisions for the development of an Atlantic salmon watch program similar to the one in operation in British Columbia, Canada. The program must provide for the monitoring of escapes of Atlantic salmon from marine aquatic farming locations, monitor the occurrence of naturally produced Atlantic salmon, determine the impact of Atlantic salmon on naturally produced and cultured fin fish stocks, provide a focal point for consolidation of scientific information, and provide a forum for interaction and education of the public; and

(7) Provisions for the development of an education program to assist marine aquatic farmers so that they operate in an environmentally sound manner.


[2001 c 86 § 3.]




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77.125.040
Report to the legislature.
Rules to implement this chapter shall be adopted no sooner than thirty days following the end of the 2002 regular legislative session. The director shall provide a written report to the appropriate legislative committees by January 1, 2003, on the progress of the program.


[2001 c 86 § 4.]