SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SSB 5874

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 12, 1993

Brief Description:  Improving recreational fishing.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Owen, Oke, Haugen, Hargrove, Erwin, Snyder, Franklin, Spanel, Sutherland, Sellar, McDonald, Bauer and Winsley)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5874 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means. 

     Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Erwin, Franklin, Oke, Snyder, and Spanel.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates:  February 26, 1993

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5874 as recommended by Committee on Natural Resources be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chairman; Spanel, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Gaspard, Hargrove, McDonald, Owen, Pelz, Quigley, Snyder, Sutherland, Talmadge, West, Williams, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Michael Groesch (786-7715)

Hearing Dates: March 4, 1993; March 5, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Many salmon and marine bottom fish populations and the recreational fisheries they support have been dwindling in recent years.  Investments made in creating meaningful recreation fishing opportunities will repay the state's citizens in increased economic activity and better fishing.

SUMMARY:

A recreational fishing improvement program is developed and implemented for Puget Sound, Lake Washington and Hood Canal waters.  A sports fishing program administrator position is created in the Department of Fisheries.  An aggressive recreational fishing enhancement plan is authorized to include the following elements:  increased freshwater rearing of delayed release chinook salmon, increased research on salmon production opportunities, increased research on marine bottomfish enhancement and improved methods for harvest management.

Beginning January 1, 1994 persons who recreationally fish for salmon or marine bottom fish in marine catch areas 5 through 13 shall be charged an annual surcharge of $10 to be utilized to fund recreational enhancement programs.  Funds from the surcharge are placed in a dedicated account to be utilized only after appropriation.  A $500,000 appropriation is made from the general fund to be paid back with surcharge revenue before June 30, 1995. 

Language is added to assure commercial fishermen that the recreational program will not be developed or managed at the expense of the commercial fishery.  Specific goals are established for the development of new freshwater pond rearing sites for chinook salmon and for the production of resident chinook salmon.

Appropriation:  $500,000 general fund

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  requested February 15, 1993

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

TESTIMONY FOR:

Recreational fishing needs to be improved in Puget Sound, Hood Canal and Lake Washington.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Commercial fishermen would not be helped by the bill.

TESTIFIED (Natural Resources):  Don Stuart, Salmon for Washington (pro); Dick Smythe, Recreation Fishery Coalition (pro); Don Schluter, NW Rivers Council (pro); Judith Freeman, WDF; Jack Metcalf (pro); Ric Abbett, NW Steelhead & Salmon Council of Trout Unlimited (pro); Rob Zuanich (con); Shirley Brundage (pro); Jim Zimmerman, WA Fish Growers Assn.

TESTIFIED (Ways & Means):  Senator Bob Oke (pro); Senator Brad Owen (pro)