This morning the Washington state departments of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife, and Ecology along with the Office of the Governor and state Emergency Management Division, announced the formation of an Incident Command structure to respond to the escape of Atlantic salmon from net pens on Cypress Island.
Gov. Jay Inslee issued the following statement:
“The release of net pen-raised Atlantic salmon into Washington’s waters has created an emergency situation that has state agencies working together to protect the health of our salmon. I have directed the Department of Ecology to put a hold on any new permits for net pens until a thorough investigation of this incident is completed. Tribes and others who fish Washington waters deserve a comprehensive response to this incident, including answers to what happened and assurances that it won’t happen again. I believe the company must do everything it can to stop any additional escapes and to recover as many fish as possible, including adequate compensation for those working to remove Atlantic salmon from our waters.”