SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   ESSB 6047

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 10, 1992

Brief Description:  Changing the requirements of commercial salmon licenses.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senator L. Smith)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6047 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

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

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates:January 20, 1992; February 3, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Fisheries has recently produced a report (as a result of SSB 5501, C 144 L 91) on the optimum amount of commercial non-Indian salmon fishing licenses.  The report recommends a reduction in the number of commercial salmon licenses.

SUMMARY:

A task force of commercial fishermen is created in order to make recommendations to the Legislature on a fishing gear reduction plan by January, 1993.  The task force is to address the need for minimum poundage requirements for renewal of commercial salmon licenses, the optimum number of licenses in each fishery, and the development of a plan to reduce the current number of licenses within a specific time frame.  The Director of the Department of Trade and Economic Development shall provide staff support to the task force.  A peer review board is created to review commercial salmon catch landing requirements.  If the Northwest Power Planning Council conducts a program to temporarily lease commercial salmon licenses, the landing requirement shall be waived.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 14, 1992

Effective Date:  January 1, 1993

TESTIMONY FOR:

The Department of Fisheries study showed that too many commercial salmon fishermen are licensed and that the fishery would be better managed with fewer fishermen participating.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Any reduction in the commercial fishery should be proposed by the commercial industry, not outside interest groups.

TESTIFIED:  Oscar Johnson; Ernie Summers, WDCFA/COWFA (con); Louis Miller, WTA; Mike Passinelli, Ilwaco Charter Assn. (con); Ray Freeman, G.H. Gillnetters (con); Mark Duomit (con); Robert Snell, WTA (con); Tomi Maki, Grays Harbor gillnetter (con); Michael Skrivanich, fisherman (con); Mike Hirko, Friends of the Cowlitz (pro); Rene Martin (con); Jim Brummett; Don Stuart, SFW (con); Steve Arbaugh, PSGA (con); Bob Lake, Willapa Bay Gillnets (con); Steve Gray, Northwest Gillnetters (con); Ron Saulborn, SW Wash. Anglers (pro); Milt Gudgell, Ilwaco Charter Assn.; Geoff Lebon, Wash. Trollers Assn. (con)