BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to improving recreational fishing; adding a new chapter to Title 75 RCW; creating new sections; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that recreational fishing opportunities for salmon and marine bottomfish have been dwindling in recent years. It is important to restore diminished recreational fisheries and to enhance the salmon and marine bottomfish resource to assure sustained productivity. Investments made in recreational fishing programs will repay the people of the state many times over in increased economic activity and in an improved quality of life.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. There is created a new position in the department subject to the civil service law, chapter 41.06 RCW, to be known as the sportfishing program administrator. The sportfishing program administrator shall be an advocate for increasing recreational salmon and marine bottomfish harvesting opportunities through programs specifically designed to improve recreational fishing in south Puget Sound, central Puget Sound, north Puget Sound and Hood Canal.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The duties of the sportfishing program administrator are to use resources within the department to: Develop a short-term program of hatchery-based salmon enhancement using fresh water pond sites for the final rearing phase; solicit support from cooperative projects, regional enhancement groups, and other supporting organizations; conduct comprehensive research on resident and migratory salmon production opportunities; and conduct research on marine bottomfish production limitations.

Long-term duties of the sportfishing program administrator are to: Fully implement enhancement efforts for Puget Sound and Hood Canal resident salmon and marine bottomfish; identify opportunities to reestablish salmon runs into areas where they no longer exist; encourage naturally spawning salmon populations to develop to their fullest extent; and fully utilize hatchery programs to improve recreational fishing.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The department shall seek recommendations from persons who are expert on the planning and operation of programs for enhancement of recreational fisheries. The department shall fully use the expertise of the University of Washington college of fisheries to develop research and enhancement programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The department shall place particular emphasis upon development of new locations for the fresh water rearing of delayed-release chinook salmon. Natural or artificial pond sites shall be preferred to net pens due to higher survival rates experienced from pond rearing. Rigorous predatory bird control measures shall be implemented.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The department shall develop additional rearing of coho salmon using net pens and other cost-effective means.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The department shall undertake additional research to more fully evaluate improved enhancement techniques, hooking mortality rates, methods of mass marking, improvement of catch models, and sources of marine bottomfish mortality. Research shall be designed to give the best opportunity to provide information that can be applied to real-world recreational fishing needs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The department shall work with the department of ecology, the department of wildlife, and local government entities to streamline the siting process for new enhancement projects. The department is encouraged to work with the legislature to develop statutory changes that enable expeditious processing and granting of permits for fish enhancement projects.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The department's information and education section shall develop a public awareness program designed to educate the public on the elements of the recreational fishing program and to recruit volunteers to assist the department in implementing recreational fishing projects. Economic benefits of the program shall be emphasized.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The department shall increase efforts to document the effects of bird predators, harbor seals, sea lions, and predatory fish upon the salmon and marine fish resource. Every opportunity shall be explored to convince the federal government to amend the marine mammal protection act to allow for lethal removal of predatory marine mammals, as well as to work with the United States fish and wildlife service to achieve workable control measures for predatory birds.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. Indian tribal fishing interests and non-Indian commercial fishing groups shall be invited to participate in development of plans for selective fisheries that target hatchery-produced fish and minimize catch of naturally spawned fish. In addition, talks shall be initiated on the feasibility of altering the rearing programs of department hatcheries to achieve higher survival and greater production of chinook and coho salmon.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. The department shall coordinate the sportfishing program with the wild stock initiative to assure that the two programs are compatible and potential conflicts are avoided.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. The department shall develop plans for increased recreational access to salmon and marine fish resources. Proposals for new boat launching ramps and pier fishing access shall be developed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. The department shall contact with private consultants, aquatic farms, or construction firms, where appropriate, to achieve the highest benefit-to-cost ratio for recreational fishing projects.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. Beginning July 1, 1993, persons who recreationally fish for salmon or marine bottomfish in marine area codes 5 through 13 shall be assessed an annual recreational surcharge of ten dollars, in addition to other licensing requirements. Funds from the surcharge shall be deposited in the recreational fisheries enhancement account created in section 16 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. The recreational fisheries enhancement account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from section 15 of this act shall be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for recreational fisheries enhancement programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 17. The department shall develop and present to the legislature, no later than January 1, 1994, proposed legislation for a recreational fishing capital facilities improvement program financed through general obligation bonds.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 18. Sections 2 through 16 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 75 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 19. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1993.