FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2625

C 311 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Allowing the use of purse seine and other lawful fishing gear in certain waters.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Linville, Buck, Van Luven and Lysen.

House Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines

Background:

The Legislature has in the past enacted exclusive commercial harvest opportunities in certain geographic areas of the state based upon the type of gear used.  This was done as a way to resolve conflicts between competing commercial salmon harvest gear groups.  These legislatively mandated areas that dictate an exclusive type of gear have been repealed, except for the Bellingham Bay region which limits commercial salmon fishing to gill netters.

Summary:

The Fish and Wildlife Commission may authorize commercial fishing for salmon with gill net, purse seine, and other lawful gear in Bellingham Bay and the designated waters in that region.

Votes on Final Passage:

House940

Senate460

Effective:  June 13, 2002

       July 1, 2002 (Section 2)