SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5463

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As of January 26, 2001

Title:  An act relating to surplus hatchery‑reared fish.

Brief Description:  Addressing issues of surplus hatchery‑reared fish.

Sponsors:  Senators Morton, Hochstatter, Stevens, Oke and McCaslin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines: 

______________________________________________________________________________SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Background:  Hatchery origin salmon may be genetically different than naturally spawning salmon within a given watershed.  The National Marine Fisheries Service and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service are the two federal regulatory agencies that administer the federal Endangered Species Act.  In some cases, the federal regulatory agencies have requested that state operated fish hatcheries destroy hatchery stock salmon, or their eggs and sperm, in order to prevent interbreeding with threatened or endangered naturally spawning fish.

There is concern that destruction of hatchery stock salmon, or their progeny should only be conducted when supported by sound scientific evidence that naturally spawning salmon are placed at risk by the hatchery stock.

Summary of Bill:  A two-year moratorium is placed on implementing orders by federal fisheries agencies to destroy hatchery salmon or their progeny in Washington hatcheries.  During the moratorium, an evaluation of alternatives to killing hatchery salmon must be conducted and the Department of Fish and Wildlife must prepare a report to the Legislature by December 15, 2002.

Future destruction of hatchery salmon or their eggs, sperm, or progeny shall not occur unless:  the order from the federal agency is in writing, clear directions are provided in the order, the specific federal regulation is cited and the criteria for stock differentiation is specified, genetic testing is used for verification, sound science is utilized subject to peer review, population numbers are quantified, straying is documented, and intermixing is evaluated.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 26, 2001.

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