FINAL BILL REPORT
SHB 2605
C 46 L 96
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Allowing importation of Macrocystis seaweed for the use in the herring spawn‑on‑kelp fishery.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Linville, Fuhrman, L. Thomas, Thompson, Regala, Basich, Quall, Hatfield, B. Thomas, Stevens, Sheldon and Buck).
House Committee on Natural Resources
Senate Committee on Natural Resources
Background: Seaweed is used extensively by fish populations for protection and for spawning. Studies have shown that removal of seaweed, especially kelp, has a detrimental effect on salmon production. Macrocystis is a type of seaweed used in the herring spawn-on-kelp fishery.
Legislation enacted in 1993 limited entry into the herring spawn-on-kelp fishery. This legislation limited the total number of license holders to five for this fishery. Specified license holders are eligible to bid for the limited entry licenses on an annual basis. Persons in the herring spawn-on-kelp fishery typically harvest the tops of the Macrocystis plant, place it in a net, and introduce herring into the net. The herring eggs are then harvested from the seaweed, processed, and marketed. Because of the limited availability of Macrocystis in this state, the plant is generally imported from Canada for this fishery.
State law prohibits importation of seaweed species of Macrocystis after July 1, 1995, for use in the herring spawn-on-kelp fishery.
Summary: The general prohibition against importing Macrocystis for use in the herring spawn-on-kelp fishery is removed. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is directed to ban the importation of Macrocystis in specific areas where the presence of fish or shellfish diseases would make it likely that the disease would be imported along with the Macrocystis. The department is required to incorporate this importation policy into its policy for fish and shellfish disease control.
Votes on Final Passage:
House 98 0
Senate 48 0
Effective: June 6, 1996