SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SSB 5501

                       AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 15, 1991

Brief Description:  Concerning license renewal for commercial salmon fishers.

SPONSORS:Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Owen, Sutherland, L. Smith, Vognild, Amondson and Bauer).

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5501 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Oke, Vice Chairman; Barr, Conner, Owen, Snyder, and Sutherland. 

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates:February 18, 1991; February 21, 1991

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

BACKGROUND:

Commercial salmon fishers must land salmon every year in order to validate their licenses.  However, there is no minimum number of salmon or poundage which must be landed in order to retain the commercial license.

Commercial salmon licenses may be freely sold to any willing buyer.

SUMMARY:

The Director of Fisheries shall study the need for changing licensing requirements for minimum salmon landings and the sale or transfer of commercial salmon licenses, and shall report to the Legislature by January 1, 1992.  The director shall work closely with the commercial salmon fishing industry.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 12, 1991

TESTIMONY FOR:

The commercial salmon industry has too many licenses and the resource cannot support the current number of fishermen.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

The state should not reduce the number of salmon fishermen who are currently licensed.

TESTIFIED:  Ray Nelson, representing commercial fishermen (con); Mark Ashley, Willapa Bay Gillnet Association (con); Barry Jenkins, Trout Unlimited (pro); Donald Stuart, Salmon for Washington (con); Ed Manary, Department of Fisheries; Ernie Summers, Washington Dungeness Crab Fishing Association (con); Bill Chapman, Bremerton Sportsmen's Club (pro); Dennis Benn, Washington Trollers (con); Bob Eaton, Salmon for All, Inc. (con)

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

Non-Indian commercial fisheries in Hood Canal shall be evaluated to determine if restrictions are necessary on fishing areas and methods.  The director shall consider the impacts of all nontreaty fisheries on weak salmon stocks.  Studies shall be conducted on incidental catch of fish by commercial fisheries which would impact the recreational fishery.  Reports are due to the Legislature on or before December 1, 1991.