S-3282

AN ACT Relating to recreational diving; amending RCW 75.25.005, 75.25.090, and 75.25.190; adding a new section to chapter 75.25 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 75.08 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 75.12 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 75.25 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A recreational diving license is required for all persons to take food fish by diving, or possess food fish taken by diving, for personal use from state waters.

(2) The annual fees for recreational diving licenses are:

(a) For a resident, six dollars; and

(b) For a nonresident, eighteen dollars.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 75.08 RCW to read as follows:

Taking food fish while diving with either scuba or skin diving gear is prohibited in Hood Canal waters for a period of five years following the effective date of this act.

Prior to reopening Hood Canal waters for the taking of food fish with diving gear, the department shall make an assessment of the population of lingcod, rockfish, and cabezon in Hood Canal, to determine if sufficient recovery of these fish stocks has occurred to justify reopening the diving season.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 75.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) It is unlawful to take salmon with skin or scuba diving gear.

(2) It is unlawful to possess salmon taken with skin or scuba diving gear.

Sec. 4. RCW 75.25.005 and 1989 c 305 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The following recreational fishing licenses are administered and issued by the department of fisheries under authority of the director of fisheries:

(1) Hood Canal shrimp license;

(2) Razor clam license;

(3) Personal use fishing license;

(4) Salmon license; ((~~and~~))

(5) Sturgeon license; and

(6) Recreational diving license.

Sec. 5. RCW 75.25.090 and 1989 c 305 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A personal use license is required for all persons other than persons under fifteen years of age to fish for, take, or possess food fish for personal use from state waters or offshore waters. A personal use license is not required under this section to (a) fish for, take, or possess carp and sturgeon in the Columbia river above Chief Joseph Dam, smelt, or albacore or (b) take food fish by diving or possess food fish taken by diving.

(2) The fees for annual personal use licenses are:

(a) For a resident fifteen years of age or older and under seventy years of age, three dollars; and

(b) For a nonresident fifteen years of age or older, ten dollars.

(3) The fees for two-consecutive-day personal use licenses are:

(a) For food fish other than sturgeon, three dollars; and

(b) For sturgeon only, three dollars.

Sec. 6. RCW 75.25.190 and 1989 c 305 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:

Catch record cards necessary for proper management of the state's food fish and shellfish resources shall be administered under rules adopted by the director and issued at no charge. The director shall require a catch record card for divers who take lingcod.