by Kirk Kirkland
In Pierce County and at the state legislature we are passing significant legislation that is going to make our county and the state a better place to live. Avoid the negative news about the U.S. Congress. Tune into the state legislature to witness the state House of Representatives and county governments pass legislation with bipartisan support.
Last month, we worked to defeat a state bill that would allow destruction of ghost shrimp on Pacific Coast beaches and would allow the oyster industry to use herbicides and pesticides to destroy ghost shrimp that are an important food source for diving ducks.
Why are we destroying native ghost shrimp for a non native oyster species? Learn how a small group of people have a strategy to stop SB 5322 and how you can participate in these hearings by going online and registering your vote and comment.
The shellfish industry has proposed legislation SB 5322 that would destroy burrowing shrimp on the bays, harbors and Pacific shorelines where Oysters are grown. Back in 2014, shellfish growers were dealt a significant setback when they lost their primary tool for controlling burrowing shrimp infestations in coastal estuaries.
Back then, non-native eelgrass was the problem which the industry wanted to eliminate with a pesticide that was not allowed in water dependent farming areas according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The legislature appropriated funding and the environmental community were able to stop the use of helicopters and other means of spraying. The spray eliminated both native and non-native eelgrass along with impacts on fish and birds.
Now, the shellfish industry is concerned about burrowing shrimp, which are returning in high densities and pose a significant threat to shellfish farming. The ghost shrimp negatively impacts productivity, according to the industry. The growers also feel that ghost shrimp eliminate the growth of native eelgrass which provides essential habitat for salmon and Dungeness crab.
The proposed legislation fails to recognize that burrowing shrimp are native to Washington waters and are an important part of the food web. While burrowing shrimp are native, most commercially grown oysters are non-native having been introduced from Asia. It ignores the fact that burrowing shrimp are a natural part of coastal bays and estuaries that support birds, fish, crabs, salmon and people.
Washington State Department Of Fish And Wildlife WDFW has phased-out the use of carbaryl and Washington State Department Of Ecology previously denied a permit to use imidacloprid which left 20 growers without crucial pest control measures.
Burrowing shrimp infestations on shellfish grounds has led to a reduction in growing. Oyster farming is a major industry in the state and our growers provide oysters for other Western coastal states.
Burrowing shrimp infestations on shellfish grounds has led to a reduction in growing operations due to the absence of an effective control tool. The industry proposed Senate Bill 5322 to address this ongoing crisis. The legislature intends to create a program within the Washington State Department Of Agriculture to coordinate research into new and innovative control methods for burrowing shrimp infestations.
This is a significant problem with the research and “collaboration” effort, by the “governing board” created by the Senate Bill. There are only six state officials on the board, while the shellfish industry enjoys ELEVEN representatives on this same board. This composition does not reflect the public interest on a “governing board.” At most, such a group should be “advisory” to public officials. The board should be made up of Ecology and WDFW which should have the responsibility and authority over how public funds are spent.
As proposed with an overwhelming voting majority on the board, the shellfish industry can approve a proposal that has no public interest component. This would amount to an unconstitutional gift of public funds to the industry. With such a majority, the Director Of WSDA (WA State Dept. of Agriculture) is strictly limited to the research choices made by the board.
Giving control to the shellfish Industry, the board can identify the control methods, and under this bill, the board could approve chemical applications that are contrary to state and federal laws. At best, this board should be advisory to the Director of Agriculture, and board membership could create a majority with members representing Ecology, WDFW, and one of the state’s environmental organizations. Someone needs to be there to represent wildlife that currently have little to no voice.
Speakers from the Environmental Coalition of Pierce County spoke at the February 26 Senate Committee and asked for changes in the bill. If there is a desire to conduct research into burrowing shrimp, then at most, such a program should be assisted by an advisory-only committee that is balanced with non-shellfish-affiliated interests.
This is a popular bill with a number of speakers from the environmental community being outnumbered by oyster growers in South West Washington. We need speakers for the next House committee hearings.
If you have interest in protecting ghost shrimp and native eelgrass in birding habitat, you can testify by zoom. And you can also sign up against the bill from home.
To help us stop this legislation, reach me at: kirkkirkland5@gmail.com