Dirty, unregulated industrial salmon farms put our waters at risk. Photo: Shutterstock
October 1, 2026 (Portland, ME) – A judge has ruled that Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) can move forward with its lawsuit against Cooke Aquaculture, one of the world’s largest salmon producers, for Clean Water Act violations. The Canadian company has 13 active sties in Maine where the company grows millions of salmon in 150 cages. Industrial aquaculture pollutes Maine’s iconic bays and negatively impacts recreation and the lobstering and fishing industries.
“This ruling brings us one step closer to protecting the health of Maine’s waters and the ecosystems, industries, and communities that rely on them,” said CLF senior attorney Maggie Nivison. “These enormous salmon cages are like sewage pipes to the marine environment. Accountability matters, and we need to enforce our laws to safeguard Maine’s bays and communities.”
Most of Cooke’s salmon cage sites are located in coastal communities where lobstermen and fishermen depend on clean and unpolluted water for their livelihoods. Fish feces, uneaten food, and uncollected pieces of dead fish fall through the bottom of Cooke’s cages onto the seafloor to form a thick layer of toxic sediment. That pollution kills food sources for lobster and bottom-feeding fish, like flounder, cod, and haddock.
CLF sued Cooke in 2025. To ensure compliance with the law, Cooke will need to take a hard look at its current practices, and may need to hire more employees and experts to increase its monitoring and inspections, properly maintain and clean its equipment, and mitigate the impact on the environment.
The judge’s ruling can be read here.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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