HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5495

BYSenate Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Stratton, McDonald, DeJarnatt, Patterson, West, Saling and Barr)

Revising provisions relating to taking food fish for personal use.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (17)

      Signed by Representatives Sutherland, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Amondson, Basich, Beck, Belcher, Bumgarner, Cole, Fuhrman, Hargrove, R. King, Meyers, Sayan, Schmidt, C. Smith, Spanel and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 8, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Recreational salmon fishermen between the ages of 16 and 69 are required to purchase a salmon angling license (punchcard).  There are no other licensing requirements of recreational food fish fishermen, except that licenses are required for Hood Canal shrimp and razor clams.

The Department of Fisheries has stated that licensing of all food fish recreational anglers would increase opportunities for federal funding of state fishery programs, as well as providing more funding for the General Fund.

SUMMARY:

A personal-use license is required for recreational harvesting of food fish except for carp and sturgeon on the Columbia River above Chief Joseph Dam.  The fee for the annual license is $3 for residents and $9 for nonresidents.  Charter boat or other food fish anglers may purchase a two-day combined license/punchcard for $3.  Salmon punchcards are also required for people who fish for salmon with an annual license; the fee for salmon punchcards is $3.  Salmon punchcards are valid for a maximum catch of 15 fish.

Licensing reciprocity with Oregon is extended to Leadbetter Point if Oregon approves license reciprocity of Washington licenses southward to Cape Falcon.  A punchcard is authorized for sturgeon, lingcod, or halibut; the fee is $3.  The dealer's fee for a Department of Fisheries' license is set at 50 cents each.  Fees from the sale of licenses and punchcards are deposited in the General Fund for appropriation to the salmon, marine fish, and shellfish programs of the department.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

Effective Date:The bill takes effect on January 1, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Stratton, Prime Sponsor; Curt Smitch, Washington Department of Fisheries; Lynn Hagen, Washington State Charter Boat Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Robert Evacko, Dogfish Charters.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Since 1983, supporters have worked for a bill that would institute a fee for all saltwater sports anglers and dedicate the funds to the Department of Fisheries.  This bill generates $5.5 million for the General Fund each biennium.  License fees have not increased since 1977.  The charter industry endorses the bill, feeling a modest license fee will not hinder business.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Charter businesses in Puget Sound need to be treated differently than coastal charters where salmon, not bottomfish, are primarily targeted.  A one-day one dollar bottomfish license would assist the industry.