Alaska processors, EPA reach settlement

Two seafood processors charged with violating the Clean Water Act have separately agreed to settle violations and pay fines with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Clean Water Act requires vessels and shore-based seafood processing facilities to grind seafood waste to a maximum size of half of an inch in order to increase dispersion of solids into the ocean. This half on an inch grind requirement was created specifically to protect remote areas of Alaska.

Aleutian Leader Fisheries and Salamatof Seafoods had violations occurring between 2008 and 2011. Aleutian will pay USD 59,000(EUR 46,042) and Salamatof Seafoods will pay USD 45,000 (EUR 35,116) to settle the violations.

“Clean Water Act permits protect Alaska's important marine habitat and the ocean food chain,” said Jeff KenKnight, manager of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Compliance Unit at the EPA office in Seattle. “All seafood processors need to comply with permit requirements to level the playing field for businesses and ensure that everyone is doing their part to protect the environment.”

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