Aquaculture is the culture or farming of fish, shellfish, and other aquatic plants and animals in fresh, brackish, or saltwater areas, such as streams, rivers, lakes, and the Puget Sound.  Commercial aquaculture activities include raising, harvesting, transporting, and selling fish and shellfish.  Other aquaculture activities are designed to help restore and enhance resources.  This includes fish and shellfish hatcheries and planting and growing native aquatic plants to restore or enhance habitat.  Private sector cultured aquatic products in Washington include clams, oysters, prawns, trout, salmon, geoducks, and kelp, among others.  Commercial net-pen aquaculture of non-native finfish, including Atlantic salmon, has been prohibited in Washington.

Aquaculture is regulated by the departments of Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, and Natural Resources, as well as local and tribal governments, and other state and federal agencies.

The definition of "private sector cultured aquatic products" does not include octopus, and octopus aquaculture is prohibited.