SB 5561-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

     Provides that after July 1, 1997, the director may not issue new geoduck fishery licenses.  Only a person who has held the geoduck fishery license sought to be renewed for at least three of the six years 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 may renew an existing license.

     Declares that if fewer than fifty persons are eligible for a geoduck fishery license, the director may accept applications for new licenses.

     Provides that, once a harvest ceiling is established for each harvest area, the ceiling must be divided equally between the number of geoduck fishery license holders, within each geoduck harvesting agreement, to establish individual fishing quotas for each area.