Fish net pens should be barred from federal waters

Growing up, my parents ran a small business. I grew up seeing the importance of keeping our dollars local and supporting the businesses in our communities. I feel the same way about purchasing my food. I believe the food I eat should come from farmers in and around my community.

In Washington, we have amazing access to food products, maybe most impressive is our access to fish. But our access to fish, and specifically Pacific salmon species is at growing risk due to large-scale fish farms growing fish non-native to federal waters. Washington’s state waters are protected from these large fish farming operations, but the federal waters are not.

I am calling upon President Biden to revoke Executive Order 13921: Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth, in order to promote our local fishing communities rather than supporting corporations that want to control the fishing industry.

Sam Cowles

Seattle