SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1995-8617

By Senators A. Anderson, Strannigan, Swecker, Haugen, Drew, Oke, Owen, Snyder and Spanel

    WHEREAS, The commercial crab fishery industry is an important industry in this state; and

    WHEREAS, The closure of the crab fishery season will adversely affect the common good of the citizens of this state; and

    WHEREAS, Judge Rafeedie's December 20, 1994, ruling does not require the state to terminate the non-Indian crab season; and

    WHEREAS, While the state's effort to act in good faith with the tribal governments is laudable, it is not necessary to place the full impact of this spirit of cooperation solely on the inner Puget Sound crab fishers; and

    WHEREAS, The state created a crab season that runs from October through April, and sold licenses based on this time period; and

    WHEREAS, The state is considering appealing Judge Rafeedie's decision; and

    WHEREAS, Too short of notice was given to the crab fishers to provide for adequate time to halt their operations in a safe fashion and to make alternative financial arrangements;

    NOW, THEREFORE, The Senate of the state of Washington believes that the commercial crab season should be immediately restored to the previously agreed upon dates.

I, Marty Brown, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1995-8617,

adopted by the Senate February 15, 1995.

MARTY BROWN

Secretary of the Senate