SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5757

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 11, 1993

Brief Description:  Controlling burrowing shrimp.

SPONSORS: Senators Snyder, Owen and Hargrove

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Erwin, Franklin, Haugen, Oke, Sellar, L. Smith, Snyder, and Spanel.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786‑7469)

Hearing Dates: March 2, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Various pesticides can be used to control burrowing shrimp on aquatic farms that raise oysters.  These shrimp have increased in recent years as the salmon population, which feed on them, has declined.  They burrow into the hard sand and mud that oysters lie on and by so doing soften the sand so the oysters sink into the mud and are suffocated.  There is a lack of coordination between the permitting state agencies. 

SUMMARY:

The Director of Agriculture working with the Directors of Fisheries and Ecology will develop an "integrated pest management plan" for the control of burrowing shrimp on registered aquatic farms by June 1, 1993. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested

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

TESTIMONY FOR:

A more coordinated procedure is needed to help oyster growers control burrowing shrimp.  Three agencies is too much now.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Bill Taylor, Pacific Coast Oyster Growers; Lydia Murray, Pacific Coast Development Council; Richard Wilson, Bay Center Council Merriculture; Diane Ellison, Columbia Pacific Development