The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued 12 penalties for environmental violations in May 2024, including fines to two seafood firms.
Astoria, Oregon, U.S.A.-based Da Yang Seafood was fined USD 150,000 (EUR 139,000), while Astoria-based Astoria Pacific Seafoods was hit with a USD 22,800 (EUR 21,135) fine, both for discharging wastewater into the Columbia River without a permit.
Da Yang Seafood discharged untreated wastewater from its processing area and through cracks in its pier deck on multiple occasions between July 2021 and September 2023. The company previously ran afoul of state environmental regulations between 2008 and 2015 but was forgiven in exchange for applying for and complying with a wastewater discharge permit, according to a 23 May letter sent by the state's DEQ.
Astoria Pacific Seafoods was fined for violating effluent limits outlined in its permit, submitting a late dilution study, and discharging wastewater from an unauthorized discharge point, according to a 23 May letter issued by the DEQ.
The Port of Astoria was fined USD 28,800 (EUR 26,700) for failing to minimize exposure of seafood processing to stormwater runoff and polluting the Columbia River.
The state of Oregon allows companies fined by the DEQ to offset a portion of their penalty by funding a supplemental environmental project that improves Oregon’s environment. The penalties may also include orders to prevent future violations that result in environmental harm.
Da Yang Seafood has been engaged in a year-long battle against the DEQ, which has pushed for a revised wastewater permit plan the company fears will make it impossible for it to continue operating in the state. The DEQ has said it is working with individual seafood processors on incremental improvements and is not trying to shut down the facilities.
