FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6110

C 234 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Providing for the administration of a Puget Sound crab pot buoy tag program.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines (originally sponsored by Senators Spanel, Gardner and Kohl‑Welles).

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines

House Committee on Natural Resources

House Committee on Appropriations

Background:  The Puget Sound crab pot fishery is a limited entry fishery with a 100 pot limit, but the Department of Fish and Wildlife does not have the authority to charge fees for crab pot tags.  Crab pot buoy tags would be an important identification tool in managing the fishery in the Puget Sound and could provide an identification so that the distinction can be made between treaty shellfish fishers, recreational fishers, and the Puget Sound crab pot commercial fishers.  The highly visible tags allow enforcement of the 100 pot limit.

Summary:  In order to manage the Puget Sound crab pot program, the department may charge a fee to members of the Puget Sound crab fishing industry who hold licenses to reimburse the department for the production of crab pot buoy tags and the administration of the Puget Sound crab pot buoy tag program.

A Puget Sound crab pot buoy tag account is created in the Office of the State Treasurer and expenditures from the account are used for the program.  The director or the director=s designee may authorize expenditures from the account.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate481

House     95 0 (House amended)

Senate    47 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  May 9, 2001