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February14,2017 A A A

Dear Washington State Legislative Representative:

As the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fundy-the Isles-Saint John West (including rural
Charlotte County) in New Brunswick, Canada, and as the Cabinet Minister of Aquaculture and
Fisheries, I am writing today in regards to Commissioner Franz?s recent decision to cancel two
of Cooke Aquaculture Pacific leases in Washington State. We have always enjoyed a spirit of
collaboration with our US counterparts, more specifically with the State of Maine, and i would
welcome an opportunity to better understand the decisions that have been made.

As you may be aware, Cooke Aquaculture has been operating in New Brunswick for over 30
years and the government of New Brunswick has firsthand knowledge of their operations and
their practices. i would be happy to share our New Brunswick perspective, if that would be of
benefit to you, as your Government moves forward with their decision making process.

By way of background, the Cooke family started their company in New Brunswick and have
played a huge part in developing the industry to where it is today. They have and continue to
make large capital investments in protecting and monitoring the environment, feeding systems
and aquatic animal health and continue to utilize and incorporate the best technology possible
from around the world. In New Brunswick alone, Cooke has grown to employ nearly 1,300
people mostly in rural Charlotte County where unemployment rates can be high and finding
year round work can be a challenge. Atlantic salmon farming is a significant economic driver for
our rural and coastal communities in New Brunswick and one that is important to the thousands

of workers they employ.

As a Province we have been committed to working with the industry and our Federal
government partners to regulate a sustainable aquaculture sector while protecting the
environment. I believe Cooke Aquaculture is committed to strengthening and building rural
communities by providing economic activity and employment opportunities and more importantly
that this is done in an environmentally sustainable manner.

I would welcome the opportunity of discussing New Brunswick?s experience with Cooke
Aquaculture should that be of interest or benefit to you in discharging your legislative
responsibilities.

Sincerely,

Rick Doucet

Minister of Aquaculture and Fisheries

Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fundy The Isles Saint John West
Government House Leader

Government of New Brunswick, Canada

MinisterlMinistre
Aquaculture and FisherieslAquaculture et P?ches 
P.O. BoxlCP. 6000 Fredericton New Brunswickaouveau-Brunswick E38 5H1 Canada 'Ca

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