Commercial Finfish Aquaculture on the West Coast
Salmon has been produced commercially in the State of Washington for about 40 years.
Currently, there is no commercial salmon production in Oregon or California. Both Pacific and Atlantic salmon are produced on the West Coast. The process begins in land-based hatcheries. The salmon are then transferred to either in-water net pens or larger land-based tanks for grow-out and harvest. The industry produces approximately 20 million pounds of fish annually and employs an estimated 200 people.
Finfish Cultured On The West Coast
Pacific Salmon and Steelhead
- Chinook/King Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): enhancement, restoration
- Chum/Dog Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta): enhancement
- Coho/Silver Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch): commercial, enhancement, restoration
- Pink/Humpies (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha): enhancement, restoration
- Sockeye/Red Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka): enhancement, restoration
- Steelhead/Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): commercial, enhancement, restoration
Other Finfish
- Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): commercial. (Washington State will phase out commercial net pen culture of Atlantic salmon by 2022).
- White Sea Bass (Atractoscion nobilis): enhancement (for recreational fishing), restoration
- California Yellowtail (amberjack), (Seriola dorsalis): commercial aquaculture research
Publications
- Potential Impacts from Atlantic Salmon Culture (PDF, 98 pages)
- The Net-Pen Salmon Farming Industry in the PNW (PDF, 147 pages)
- Marine Cage Culture & The Environment: 21st Century Science Informing A Sustainable Industry
- Tech Memo: Alternative Feeds Work (PDF, 103 pages)