Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Natural Resources Committee

HB 2625

Brief Description:  Allowing the use of purse seine and other lawful fishing gear in certain waters.

Sponsors:  Representatives Linville, Buck, Van Luven and Lysen.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Allows the Fish and Wildlife Commission to authorize commercial fishing for salmon with gill net, purse seine, and other lawful gear in Bellingham Bay and the designated waters in that region.

Hearing Date:  1/30/02

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786‑7092).

Background:

Decades ago the Legislature enacted exclusive commercial harvest opportunities in certain geographic areas of the state based upon the type of gear used.  This was done as a way of resolving conflicts between competing commercial salmon harvest gear groups.  These legislatively mandated areas that dictate an exclusive type of gear have been repealed from state law except for the Bellingham Bay region which limits commercial salmon fishing to gill netters.

It has been suggested that the reduction in the salmon fleet and other changed conditions no longer justify an exclusive harvest right for one segment of commercial salmon fishers.

Summary of Bill:

The Fish and Wildlife Commission may authorize commercial fishing for salmon with gill net, purse seine, and other lawful gear in Bellingham Bay and the designated waters in that region.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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