UNITE HERE Local 49 Launches Website about Pacific Seafood Group’s Environmental Violations

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, UNITE HERE Local 49 launched a new website about environmental violations by seafood processing company Pacific Seafood Group: pacificseafooddirtysecret.org.

“The public has a right to information about environmental violations, especially repeat violations,” said Aamir Deen, President of UNITE HERE Local 49. “Contamination of rivers and harbors with polluted wastewater is concerning to everyone who cares about our environment.”

Pacific Seafood Group claims it is “committed to setting the industry standard for environmental responsibility” but it has paid over $360,000 in fines in the past four years for polluting Half Moon Bay in Washington, the Skipanon River in Oregon, and Humboldt Bay’s Eureka Slough in California.

Pacific Seafood Group was also issued penalties totaling $250,800 in 2023 and 2024 for polluting Half Moon Bay in Washington and the Port of Brookings Harbor in Oregon. These cases are currently pending.

Pacific Seafood Group’s violations in California, Oregon, and Washington included exceeding permit limits for wastewater discharge, releasing untreated wastewater into bodies of water, and releasing wastewater containing contaminants such as grease, oils, fish entrails, gloves, labels, and shell particles.

Residents and visitors of Half Moon Bay, Skipanon River, and Humbolt Bay, as well as Pacific Seafood Group employees, are encouraged to share their concerns via the new website.

Pacific Seafood Group, founded in 1941, is headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon and operates 40 facilities across United States, Canada, and Chile.

UNITE HERE Local 49 is the union that represents gaming, hotel, food service, and airport workers in the greater Sacramento, California region.