Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

 ANALYSIS

Fisheries, Ecology & Parks Committee

 

 

HB 2431

Brief Description: Establishing a Dungeness crab endorsement.

 

Sponsors: Representatives Upthegrove, Cooper and Chase.


Brief Summary of Bill

    Requires a catch record card endorsed for Dungeness Crab for recreational fishers to take or possess Dungeness crab.


    Dungeness crab endorsements may not exceed $3, and funds from the endorsement may          only be used for sampling and monitoring of Dungeness crab recreational fisheries.


Hearing Date: 1/29/04


Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7157).


Background:


A personal use saltwater, freshwater, combination, or temporary license is required for all persons 15 years of age or older to fish for or possess fish or shellfish taken for personal use from state or offshore waters. Temporary fishing licenses are issued either as a license document requiring personal identification or as a stamp. Charter boats may sell temporary fishing license stamps to customers which are valid for two consecutive days.


In addition to a recreational license, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) currently requires fishers to report their harvest activity on catch record cards for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, and Dungeness crab. Initial catch record cards are provided free with the purchase of a license, and additional or duplicate catch record cards cost $10 each. Catch estimates generated by the catch record card system are used by the WDFW to manage fisheries. However, since a catch record card contains a variety of species, WDFW is unable to sample only Dungeness crab recreational fishers.



Summary of Bill:


A catch record card endorsed for Dungeness crab is required for recreational fishers to take or possess Dungeness crab. Dungeness crab endorsements may not exceed $3, and funds from the endorsement may only be used for sampling and monitoring of Dungeness crab recreational fisheries. Catch record cards issued with affixed temporary charter stamps are not subject to the Dungeness crab endorsement fee.


Appropriation: None.


Fiscal Note: Not requested.


Effective Date: The bill takes effect on December 1, 2004.