HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 5422

BYSenators Owen, Rasmussen and Barr

Prohibiting taking of bottomfish with trawling gear.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (13)

      Signed by Representatives Sutherland, Chair; Amondson, Beck, Bumgarner, Cole, Fuhrman, Haugen, R. King, Meyers, Sayan, Schmidt, Spanel and S. Wilson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (4)

      Signed by Representatives K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Basich, Belcher and Hargrove.

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES APRIL 3, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Fisheries regulates trawling in state waters.  (Trawling consists of towing a funnel-shaped net through the water, collecting all fish encountered.  Trawling may be done at various depths, depending upon the gear.)

Fisheries restricts trawl seasons and locations to minimize conflicts with other commercial fishing groups and sports anglers, to protect non-target species, and as a conservation measure.  Regulations require that fishermen return salmon, crabs, halibut, sturgeon, and lingcod caught in Puget Sound to the water immediately.

Concerns have been raised that trawling adversely impacts juvenile fish and fish habitat.  It takes many species of fish, because it cannot target a single species easily.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  Commercial trawling for bottom fish, by Indian and non-Indian fishermen, is prohibited in Hood Canal, in Puget Sound south of a line drawn east from Point-No-Point to Possession Point on Whidbey Island and then to Mukelteo, and in Port Susan and Saratoga Passage from Deception Pass to Possession Point.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ENGROSSED BILL:  Saratoga Passage, from Deception Pass south to Mukelteo, and Port Susan Bay are added to the area where bottom trawling is prohibited.

Fiscal Note:      No Impact.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Tom Fitchitt, Washington Sportsmen's Council; Rick Hyzer, Northwest Steelhead Salmon Council; Erling O. Bergerson, P.S.C. Council.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Bob Briscoe, Jr., Washington Inside Draggers Association; William Waters, Draggers, Association; Curt Smitch, Washington Deparment of Fisheries; Robert Zuanich, Purse Seine Vessel Owners Association.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The 1984 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) glossed over the negative impact of trawling on non-target species and aquatic habitat.  Fisheries does not enforce the restriction that the vessels stay in water at least 60 feet deep.  Consequently, trawlers fish through spawning areas causing the population to decline.  The commercial catch should be less to allow for more fish to reproduce.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Trawl fisheries, in South Puget Sound and Hood Canal, do not take non-target species.  Fisheries' regulations keep the boats away from sensitive habitats and restrict seasonal operations that would harm other fisheries.  An EIS in 1984 showed the fishery does not need additional regulation.  The bill really tries to allocate more fish to the sports fishery.