FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1300

                                   C 9 L 88

BYRepresentatives Basich, Sayan and Bumgarner; by request of Department of Fisheries

Relating to charter boat licenses.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In recent years there has been a substantial increase in the number of people fishing for sturgeon on the Columbia River.  This renewed interest has led to an increase in the number of charter boats offering trips to fish for sturgeon.

In mid-1987 the Department of Fisheries cited two charter boat operators for fishing for sturgeon without a charter boat license on the Columbia River below the Longview Bridge.  The citations were challenged in court, and it was found that the current statute requires a charter boat license when catching salmon on the Columbia River below the Longview Bridge and on Lake Washington, but not when catching other types of food fish, including sturgeon.

SUMMARY:

In addition to the current requirement that charter vessels obtain a license when fishing for salmon on Lake Washington and on the Columbia River downstream from the Longview Bridge, a license is required for charter boats that catch other types of food fish from these two bodies of water.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 98   0

      Senate    47     0

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1988