S-3099.2 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 6150
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State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1992 Regular Session
By Senators Barr, Sutherland, Owen, Snyder, Amondson, Newhouse, Rasmussen, L. Smith, Bauer and Conner
Read first time 01/20/92. Referred to Committee on Environment & Natural Resources.
AN ACT Relating to the accounting of salmon and steelhead; adding new sections to Title 75 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the documentation of salmon and steelhead catches is of vital importance to all citizens of the state, especially since certain fish stocks have been designated as endangered species. The potentially high economic cost of endangered fish recovery measures make it mandatory that all possible efforts be taken to reduce the possibility that additional fish stocks are listed as endangered or threatened. The accurate recording of fish catches may help prevent overfishing on endangered fish stocks.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The director of fisheries, in cooperation with the director of wildlife, shall develop a plan to improve the accounting system for the salmon and steelhead catch by December 31, 1992. Both directors shall cooperatively work with the national marine fisheries service, the Northwest Indian tribes, and the Oregon department of fisheries and wildlife in order to make the application of the accounting system as comprehensive and useful as possible.
The objectives of the improved catch accounting system are to accurately record all salmon and steelhead catches, regardless if they occur in offshore waters, in tidal areas, or in rivers or streams. The improved system shall result in increased public confidence in the methods with which salmon and steelhead catches are recorded and ultimately how the catches are managed.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The director of fisheries and the director of wildlife shall examine ways in which incentives, such as a rebate on recreational salmon licenses, or penalties may be used in order to improve the accuracy of salmon or steelhead catch reporting and shall propose recommended statutory changes to the legislature by December 31, 1992.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A copy of this act shall be sent or transmitted by the secretary of state to the national marine fisheries service, the Oregon department of fish and wildlife, and the Northwest Indian tribes.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 1 through 3 of this act are each added to Title 75 RCW.