November 14, 2024 — The following was released by Cooke Aquaculture Inc:
Cooke Aquaculture USA, Inc. (“Cooke”) vehemently denies the generalized allegations brought forth by the Conservation Law Foundation in its November 14 notice of intent to file suit. Allegations that Cooke is violating the Clean Water Act and Maine Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for Net Pen Aquaculture are false, misleading and lack any substantiating evidence.
Cooke’s core purpose is ‘To cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, provide for our families, and build stronger communities’.
Cooke is proud of its contributions to Maine’s iconic seafood industry by providing a local, nutritious, affordable source of protein to consumers throughout Maine, New England and the United States. Providing food security and being a responsible player in Maine’s food-farming system are at the core of Cooke’s values.
Cooke is in full compliance with the laws set forth by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the Maine Department of Marine Resources and its operating permits. Cooke’s Maine Atlantic salmon farms are routinely inspected by state regulators and subject to regular monitoring reports. These laws are designed to protect Maine waters as well as Maine’s heritage fisheries.
Cooke’s Maine Atlantic salmon farms are also routinely audited and certified by third-party sustainability organizations. Cooke was one of the early adopters of the Global Seafood Alliance’s Best Aquaculture Practices third-party certification program. As part of this independent, voluntary program, all of Cooke’s Maine salmon aquaculture farms, hatcheries, processing plants and feed mills are audited against standards for environmental responsibility, social accountability, animal health and welfare, and food safety. To attain certification, facilities must be fully compliant with all clauses in the standards. Additionally, Atlantic salmon farmed in Maine is rated as a “good alternative” by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program.
Finfish aquaculture has coexisted with heritage fisheries, such as lobstering, in Maine waters for more than 40 years. Lobster landings are not negatively affected by Atlantic salmon farms. In fact, lobster gear is set alongside and within aquaculture lease boundaries.
Aquaculture farming is an economic engine for Maine’s working waterfronts with Atlantic salmon aquaculture being a major source of employment for residents of Downeast Maine. Cooke employs 230 people throughout the state and celebrated its 20th anniversary of aquaculture operations in Maine this year.
Contact:
Steven Hedlund
Director of Public Affairs
Cooke Aquaculture USA, Inc. (Cooke USA)
+1 207-952-4864
steven.hedlund@cookeaqua.com
www.cookeseafood.com