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The Washington Department of Ecology has fined Pacific Seafood USD 222,000 (EUR 207,000) for repeatedly discharging polluted wastewater into Half Moon Bay in Westport, Washington. The company’s seafood-processing facility, primarily handling crab and shrimp, violated its water-quality permit 58 times over the past two years, according to the department.
This facility previously faced a USD 123,000 (EUR 114,000) fine in April 2022 for similar violations. It has also been targeted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Clean Water Act violations, following an unannounced inspection in 2017 that revealed over 2,000 infractions. Pacific Seafood agreed to a settlement with the EPA in 2020, paying USD 190,000 (EUR 177,000).
Vince McGowan, Washington Department of Ecology’s Water Quality Program Manager, expressed frustration over the facility’s continued pollution despite previous citations and technical assistance. “The majority of similar companies in the industry are able to meet permit requirements. The bottom line is that we need this facility to comply with their permit and stop polluting Half Moon Bay,” McGowan stated, emphasizing the necessity of upgrading the wastewater treatment system.
The department revealed that Pacific Seafood has acknowledged the need for facility improvements but has not yet made the required investments. Violations included a lack of water-quality monitoring and discharging wastewater with excessive organic matter, solids, acidity, oil and grease, and fecal coliform bacteria. Despite technical assistance inspections, the facility has failed to return to compliance.
In response, Pacific Seafood Communications Director Lacy Ogan highlighted the company’s environmental commitment, citing significant investments in the Westport plant and collaboration with the Washington Department of Ecology. Ogan criticized the department for sensationalizing information in its public announcement, particularly regarding pH violations. “The regulations we must comply with are incredibly stringent, technical, and data-intensive. We go above and beyond to protect our environment, but sometimes we might make a mistake. Unfortunately, it’s the mistakes that get headlines, not all of the times we’ve done the right thing,” Ogan said.
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