OLYMPIA — Washington has officially banned commercial net-pen aquaculture after the state Board of Natural Resources approved a rule Tuesday prohibiting the industry on state aquatic lands.

The decision marks a win for outgoing Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, who emphasized the Department of Natural Resources’ duty to protect aquatic lands for future generations. “Avoiding impacts is our legal and moral responsibility,” Franz said, referencing the environmental challenges facing salmon and orcas.

The vote followed public support, with more than 80% of comments favoring the ban, according to DNR. Advocates cited risks to salmon populations, southern resident orcas, and public investments in species recovery. Jeremy Wilbur, chair of the Swinomish Tribe, called net pens “marine feed lots” harmful to the ecosystem.

Opponents, including the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and aquaculture representatives, argued the ban would cost jobs and ignore global food demands. Industry advocates said the decision was rushed and failed to consider the potential benefits of on-land or sustainable fish farming.

Commercial net-pen farming has been contentious in Washington, particularly after a 2017 collapse at Cypress Island released 250,000 Atlantic salmon into Puget Sound. The incident, attributed to negligence, prompted a 2018 ban on farming non-native species.

Washington joins California and Alaska in banning the practice, while Oregon has no net-pen farms, and British Columbia is phasing out its operations by 2029. Tribal subsistence and native fish-raising practices remain unaffected by the ban.