Washington's wild Pacific Coast
Many fisheries are located in marine waters near Washington's Pacific coast. A large proportion of Washington's shellfish is grown in bays along the Pacific coast.
Shellfish farming
Washington is the largest producer of farmed shellfish in the U.S., with crops including oysters, mussels, clams and geoducks. The shellfish aquaculture industry is an integral part of many coastal communities in Washington state.
Salmon: A fishery & culture
Salmon is an important commercial fishery in Washington. Salmon are fished in marine waters and throughout several of the large rivers in the state. Salmon are an important cultural and culinary keystone for Washington and the greater Pacific northwest.
Fishing gear varieties
The gear used to harvest seafood varies based on the life history and ecology of the target seafood species. For example, commercial fishing pots are a type of round or conical trap that lies on the seafloor. In Washington, different types of pots are used to catch Dungeness crab, sablefish and spot prawns.
Taste of the sea
A multitude of meals can be made with West Coast seafood. Need inspiration for your next menu? Check out this pink shrimp stir fry!
Working waterfronts
Commercial fisheries and shellfish aquaculture are integral aspects of Washington's coastal economies. The Washington seafood industry supports thousands of jobs and is worth several hundred million dollars annually.
Geographic overview of Washington
Washington state's geography is unique. On the southern boundary is the largest river on the West Coast, the Columbia River, which separates part of Washington from neighboring Oregon. On Washington's northern boundary is the large inland Salish Sea which extends to British Columbia, Canada. Washington is unique among the West Coast states because of the Salish Sea, which includes Puget Sound, separating the Olympic Peninsula from the rest of Washington state.
The Pacific Coast of Washington is shaped by currents, tides, weather, glaciers, and tectonic activity. It has several large bays, long sandy beaches, and large shallow mud flats home to much of the state’s shellfish aquaculture industry. The northern Pacific Coast also has many steep, forested cliff faces protected within the Olympic National Forest. The inland Salish Sea is filled with islands and pebbly beaches, and its shores are much more heavily urbanized than the Pacific Coast.
Washington’s long and diverse coastline supports healthy fisheries and aquaculture harvest. The cool temperature of the California and Alaska currents, the nearby continental shelf and river mouths make the coastline and inland waters of Washington a great place for many fish and invertebrate species to thrive. Though many of these species are also found in Oregon and California, some are found or grown only in Washington. Washington is a hub for seafood production and delivery, which requires major ports for the seafood industry.
Cooperative management
Commercial fishing and shellfish aquaculture activities have long occurred in Washington’s many rivers, bays, and marine waters. Many Treaty Tribes in Washington fish commercially as well as for subsistence and ceremonial purposes. Sovereign Treaty Tribes and Washington state cooperatively manage, or “co-manage”, some fisheries and shellfish harvest in the region. Tribal Natural Resource Departments and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife work in a government-to-government relationship to set seasons and quotas and recover depleted stocks. This ensures equitable harvest and the longevity and sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture resources. To learn more about fisheries co-management in Washington visit Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Use the map below to help you locate some of the places you can purchase local Washington seafood. Explore dockside markets, seafood businesses with online ordering, restaurants and retailers that offer local seafood options.
