SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6047

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES,

                               FEBRUARY 3, 1992

Brief Description:  Changing the requirements of commercial salmon licenses.

SPONSORS: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:

Non-Indian commercial salmon fishers must land a minimum of 1000 lbs. of salmon per year in order to renew their commercial salmon license.  Commercial salmon licenses may only be transferred to a spouse or child of the transferror.  Commercial salmon licensees are the only persons authorized to commercially fish salmon; additional operators are not authorized.  A person may not be licensed with more than one commercial salmon fishing license at a time.  Charter boat licenses are limited to a maximum of 180 licenses to be selected through a lottery process for calendar year 1993.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

An industry based study is organized and a report is required by January 1993.

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)