WHEREAS, AquaSeed Corporation, a Washington State company, has spent many years developing innovative and environmentally sound salmon production techniques, with the goal of providing more nutritious salmon while using methods that are safe for both people and the environment; and
     WHEREAS, Since 1988, AquaSeed has selectively bred a strain of Pacific Coho salmon capable of superior growth in a land based, contained freshwater system, marketed by AquaSeed as SweetSpring Salmon; and
     WHEREAS, AquaSeed's SweetSpring Salmon demonstrate extremely low levels of contaminants, as well as high levels of omega-3 fatty acids important for human health; and
     WHEREAS, AquaSeed's proprietary production and water conservation system avoid deleterious environmental impacts through innovative and rigorous control of discharge water quality; and
     WHEREAS, In recognition of the foregoing, on January 14, 2010, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program took the unprecedented step of awarding AquaSeed's SweetSpring Salmon the acclaimed "SuperGreen" designation, denoting the very highest ranking for environmental sustainability and human health; and
     WHEREAS, AquaSeed's SuperGreen designation is the first such designation awarded to salmon aquaculture anywhere in the world; and
     WHEREAS, Monterey Bay's ranking came after several months of intensive site visits and operational reviews at AquaSeed's Rochester, Washington production facility, and concluded that AquaSeed's fish health, contaminant control, and pollution discharge levels meet the very highest standards; and
     WHEREAS, AquaSeed's designation as a SuperGreen company is a groundbreaking achievement that serves as an international model for environmentally sustainable salmon production and was featured in the renowned publication, Scientific American; and
     WHEREAS, Pacific salmon conservation efforts led by AquaSeed protect several stocks of threatened Pacific salmon through their Safety-Net Programs; and
     WHEREAS, AquaSeed's innovative entrepreneurship provides environmentally sustainable employment opportunities for the citizens of the State of Washington; and
     WHEREAS, AquaSeed's conservation and environmental leadership is a credit to the State of Washington and its citizens;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate honor AquaSeed Corporation as a SuperGreen company, acknowledging AquaSeed's invaluable contribution to environmentally sustainable salmon production, salmon conservation, and rural Washington employment opportunities; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Honorable Christine Gregoire, Washington Departments of Agriculture and Ecology, and the President of AquaSeed Corporation.