2605-S AMS NAT S5494.3

SHB 2605 - S AMD

By Committee on Natural Resources

                                               NOT ADOPTED 2/28/96

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

    "Sec. 1.  RCW 79.01.805 and 1994 c 286 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The maximum daily wet weight harvest or possession of seaweed for personal use from all aquatic lands as defined under RCW 79.90.010 and all privately owned tidelands is ten pounds per person.  The department of natural resources in cooperation with the department of fish and wildlife may establish seaweed harvest limits of less than ten pounds for conservation purposes.  This section shall in no way affect the ability of any state agency to prevent harvest of any species of marine aquatic plant from lands under its control, ownership, or management.

    (2) Except as provided under subsection (3) of this section, commercial harvesting of seaweed from aquatic lands as defined under RCW 79.90.010, and all privately owned tidelands is prohibited.  This subsection shall in no way affect commercial seaweed aquaculture.

    (3) Upon mutual approval by the department and the department of fish and wildlife, seaweed species of the genus Macrocystis may be commercially harvested for use in the herring spawn-on-kelp fishery.

    (4) ((Seaweed species of the genus Macrocystis may not be imported after July 1, 1995, for use in the herring spawn-on-kelp fishery.)) Importation of seaweed species of the genus Macrocystis into Washington state for the herring spawn-on-kelp fishery is subject to the fish and shellfish disease control policies of the department of fish and wildlife.  Macrocystis shall not be imported from areas with fish or shellfish diseases associated with organisms that are likely to be transported with Macrocystis.  The department of fish and wildlife shall incorporate this policy on Macrocystis importation into its overall fish and shellfish disease control policies.

(5) The department of natural resources shall assess the department's management policy and make recommendations to the legislature for appropriate statutory changes concerning marine seaweed conservation, harvest, reintroduction, aquaculture, and long-term productivity of the seaweed resource and aquatic environment.  The department shall report its findings to the legislature on or before December 1, 1997.

(6) The fish and wildlife commission shall examine and report to the legislature on the herring spawn-on-kelp fishery to determine the advisability of continuing the fishery, allowing importation of kelp from sources outside of the state, the threat of disease and pest introduction, and the long-term health of the herring resource.  In formulating its recommendations the commission shall place the conservation needs of salmon and marine groundfish which depend on healthy herring stocks at a higher priority than the needs of the spawn-on-kelp fishery.  The commission shall report its findings to the legislature on or before December 1, 1997."

SHB 2605 - S AMD

By Committee on Natural Resources

                                               NOT ADOPTED 2/28/96

    On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "seaweed;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and amending RCW 79.01.805."

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