Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Natural Resources Committee

HB 1306

Brief Description:  Allowing the use of certain salmon fishing gear with an experimental fishery permit.

Sponsors:  Representatives Sump (co‑prime sponsor), Doumit (co‑prime sponsor), Jackley, Rockefeller, Eickmeyer and Pearson; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Brief Summary of Bill

$In order to allow the release of more wild fish, the director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife  may authorize the use of certain gear that is currently prohibited to catch salmon or steelhead when an emerging commercial fishery has been designated by the department allowing this gear.

$A person must obtain an emerging commercial fishery license and either a trial or experimental permit to utilize this new gear.

Hearing Date:  2/21/01

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786‑7092).

Background: 

The Department of Fish and Wildlife has been working to develop fishing gear that allows for more selective harvest of salmon and steelhead.  This gear would make it easier to avoid catching, or for the live release of, fish from depressed runs.  Canadian scientists have been testing gear that allows for more selective harvest of fish, but some of this gear is prohibited by statute in this state.  Prohibited gear for catching salmon or steelhead include a pound net, round haul net, lampara net, fish trap, fish wheel, scow fish wheel, set net, weir, or a fixed appliance.

The director of the department may designate an emerging commercial fishery by rule to allow for the taking of food fish or shellfish by gear not previously used for that species.  A person must obtain an emerging commercial fishery license and either a trial or experimental fishery permit in order to participate in the fishery.   The director must appoint a five-member advisory board representative of the affected fishery when developing rules for an emerging commercial fishery, and must notify the appropriate legislative committees within thirty days after having established an emerging commercial fishery.  Within five years after establishing an emerging commercial fishery, the director must notify the appropriate legislative committees of the status of the fishery and recommend what harvest program should be established for that fishery.

Summary of Bill: 

The director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife  may authorize the use of certain gear that is currently prohibited, such as a fish trap, fish wheel, or set net, to catch salmon or steelhead.   A person may use this gear only when an emerging commercial fishery has been designated by the director allowing this gear and the person has obtained an emerging commercial fishery license and a trial or experimental fishery permit.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.