SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5078

                    AS OF FEBRUARY 4, 1993

Brief Description:  Enhancing Hood Canal salmonid populations.

SPONSORS: Senators Owen, Oke, Sheldon, McDonald, Sutherland and Erwin

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates: February 5, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Naturally spawning anadromous fish runs in Hood Canal have had difficulty in sustaining their numbers in recent years.  Some hatchery origin salmon stocks have remained productive.

New management methods are needed to improve survival of naturally spawning salmon and trout while harvesting abundant hatchery stocks.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Fisheries shall investigate the opportunities to improve salmon habitat in Hood Canal tributaries.  Only selective harvest methods are allowed for commercial salmon fishing in Hood Canal.  Selective methods shall allow for full escapement of naturally spawning salmonids while fully harvesting hatchery origin stocks.  Fishing methods which do not allow selective harvest such as gill nets are prohibited.

The Department of Fisheries shall assess the feasibility of marking all hatchery chinook and coho salmon so that selective fisheries can be conducted upon hatchery origin fish.  Sea mammal control measures are to be assessed in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service.  Steelhead trout and sea-run cutthroat trout enhancement measures shall be identified by the Department of Wildlife.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 26, 1993