US-based seafood companies Aleutian Spray Fisheries, United States Seafoods, and Ocean Peace have agreed to settle the violations with the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and pay fines.
The three companies have agreed for the settlement as four seafood processing vessels operated by them in federal waters off the coast of Alaska failed to comply with federal Clean Water Act permits, which regulate their seafood waste discharges.
These vessels, which were involved in the processing of Pacific cod, Atka mackerel, flathead sole, Pacific Ocean perch, and yellowfin sole, released million pounds of seafood waste into the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska and North Pacific Ocean annually.
EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Compliance Unit manager Jeff KenKnight said that the permits are meant to protect Alaska's marine habitat and species and all the companies should mandate these regulations.