SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6052

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 3, 1992

Brief Description:  Directing a study of the coastal crab fishery.

SPONSORS: Senators Snyder, Bauer, Sellar, Conner and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Fisheries

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

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

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates: January 28, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The coastal dungeness crab fishery has rapidly expanded in recent years.   More boats are entering the fishery, and the amount of crab pots is rising rapidly.  There is concern that the rate of increase in fishing activities is too great to assure sustained yield.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Department of Fisheries, along with the states of Oregon and California, shall conduct a coastal dungeness crab fishing study through the auspices of the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.  The study is designed to determine the optimum fleet size and fishing capacity and to make recommendations on the need to reduce the number of crab fishermen.

The department shall report its findings to the Legislature no later than June 30, 1993.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

TESTIMONY FOR:

There is a need for the crabfishing industry and the management agencies to examine the number of fishers involved in the coastal crab fishery.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Ernie Sommers, Washington Dungeness Crab Fishing Association; Dick Sneldon, Columbia River Crab Fishing Association; Judith Freeman, Washington Department of Fisheries