SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2625

 

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines, February 21, 2002

 

Title:  An act relating to eliminating the exclusivity of gill net gear in certain waters.

 

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 History: 

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines:  2/20/02, 2/21/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

 

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Hargrove, McDonald, Morton, Oke, Snyder, Spanel and Stevens.

 

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

 

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  These legislatively mandated areas that dictate an exclusive type of gear have been repealed, except for the Bellingham Bay region which limits commercial salmon fishing to gill netters.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.

 

Testimony For:  Purse seine commercial salmon fishing is a selective fishing method that should be allowed in terminal fishing areas.

 

Testimony Against:  None.

 

Testified:  Ed Owens, Purse Seine Vessel Owners Assn. (pro).