Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Natural Resources Committee

 

 

HB 1499

 

Brief Description:  Regulating marine fin fish aquaculture.

 

Sponsors:  Representatives Jackley, Buck, Rockefeller, Eickmeyer, Sump, Doumit, Pennington and Dunn.

 

Brief Summary of Bill

 

$The director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife is required to develop, implement, administer, and enforce rules regarding marine fin fish aquaculture in cooperation with fin fish aquatic farmers.    The rules must be adopted by March 1, 2002.

 

 

Hearing Date:  2/12/01

 

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786‑7092).

 

Background: 

 

Concerns have been raised about the accidental release of Atlantic salmon into Puget Sound because of the effect that these nonnative species may have upon native fish stocks.  The Department of Ecology regulates waste discharge from marine fin fish rearing facilities, but there are no rules which address preventing the escape or the recapture of these fish.

 

Summary of Bill: 

 

The director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife is required to develop, implement, administer, and enforce rules regarding marine fin fish aquaculture in cooperation with fin fish aquatic farmers.    The rules must be adopted by March 1, 2002.   The director must provide the Legislature with a written progress report on the rule development by January 1, 2002.

 

The rules must include provisions for: developing and implementing management plans for the rapid recapture of live marine fin fish that have escaped, and to prevent the spread or permanent escape of these fish; development of management practices based upon the latest available science; eradication of those marine fin fish that have escaped and which spawn in state waters; determining the appropriate species, stocks, and races of marine fin fish allowed to be cultured at specific locations and sites; development of an Atlantic salmon watch program similar to the program currently operating in British Columbia, Canada; and the development of an education program to assist marine aquatic farmers so that they can operate in an environmentally sound manner.

 

The rules regarding the development of management practices must include procedures for inspections of marine aquatic farming locations on a regular basis, and operating procedures at marine aquatic farming locations to prevent the escape of marine fin fish and the use of net antifoulants.

 

The rules regarding the establishment of an Atlantic salmon watch program must provide for monitoring of escapes of Atlantic salmon from marine aquatic farming locations, monitoring the occurrence of naturally produced Atlantic salmon, determination of the impact of Atlantic salmon on naturally produced and cultured fin fish stocks, a focal point for consolidation of scientific information, and a forum for interaction and education of the public.

 

A ?marine aquatic farming location@ is defined as a complete complex that may be composed of various marine, enclosures, net pens or other rearing vessels, food handling facilities, or other facilities related to rearing Atlantic salmon or other fin fish in marine waters.

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

 

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.