HB 1821-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Amends RCW 77.70.400 relating to the consideration of extenuating circumstances for gear and effort reduction for the coastal Dungeness crab resource plan provisions.

     Declares that the provisions of such a resource plan that are designed to effect a gear reduction or effort reduction based upon historical landing criteria are subject to the provisions of RCW 77.70.390 with respect to the consideration of extenuating circumstances.

     Declares that, for the purposes of determining the number of shellfish pots assigned to a license authorizing commercial harvest of Dungeness crab adjacent to the Washington coast, if the license is held by a person whose vessel designated for use under that license was lost due to sinking in any one of the three qualifying seasons, then the department of fish and wildlife shall use the landings in February 1996 to determine the number of pots granted to the license holder as an exception to WAC 220-52-040(14).  A license holder must notify the department of his or her eligibility under this act by September 30, 2001.