22.09.010 Aquaculture.
Aquaculture is the commercial farming or culturing of food fish, shellfish or other aquatic plants and animals in marine waters, estuaries, inlets, lakes, streams and other natural or artificial water bodies. Noncommercial projects and activities that involve the enhancement or restoration of native biota are addressed in BMC 22.09.100, Restoration and conservation. Aquaculture is a preferred water-dependent use and should be encouraged to locate where it is not in conflict with other preferred water-dependent uses and where it includes specific conditions to protect ecological function.
A. Policies.
1. Aquaculture shall not be located in areas where it would be detrimental to the ecological functions and processes of the aquatic system.
2. Aquaculture should only be utilized for shellfish, algal and plant species.
3. Aquaculture for finfish should not be allowed.
4. Aquaculture should not preclude the appropriate use of adjacent uplands.
5. Aquaculture should not interfere with established navigation channels and other water-dependent uses.
B. Regulations.
1. Aquaculture shall not be located in areas where it would be detrimental to shoreline ecological functions and processes of the aquatic system, especially in near-shore areas where water quality, aquatic vegetation and co-occupying species habitats and migration corridors could be impacted.
2. Aquaculture shall meet the applicable requirements of the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife for said facilities.
3. Aquaculture shall only be utilized for shellfish, algal and plant species.
4. Aquaculture shall not preclude the appropriate use of adjacent shorelines or be detrimental to visual access of the water body.
5. Aquaculture activities within the city shall not unduly interfere with the navigability of the water body for industrial, commercial or personal watercraft.
6. Specifically, commercial net pens for finfish within the city and/or on or above state-owned aquatic lands are prohibited.
7. Harvest of wild stock free swimming fish, shellfish not artificially planted or maintained in a fishery, and/or harvest of wild stock geoducks on state-owned aquatic lands is not considered aquaculture and does not require a shoreline substantial development permit. [Ord. 2013-02-005 § 2 (Exh. 1)].