HB 2920-S - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 2/14/04)

Finds that an advisory group of affected stakeholders could assist the fish and wildlife commission and the director by making recommendations regarding fishing seasons and allocation of harvestable fish in a manner that accomplishes fishery management objectives and maximizes benefits to local communities.

Authorizes recreational and commercial fishing stakeholders to form a special economic fishery advisory committee within an administrative region of the department by notifying the director.

Provides that a special economic fishery advisory committee may: (1) Review and provide guidance on proposed recreational and commercial fishing seasons within an administrative region of the department;

(2) Advise the department of significant economic impacts to local economies of proposed fishing seasons;

(3) Recommend to the department and commission the development of alternative fishing seasons that accomplish fishery management objectives and maximize economic benefits to local communities; and

(4) Not meet more than three times per calendar year unless additional meetings are approved in writing by the director.