Brief Description: Defining "deliver" and "delivery" for food fish and shellfish.

Sponsors: Representatives Blake and Upthegrove.

Hearing Date: 2/3/05

Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7157).

Background:

The Department of Fish and Wildlife manages the commercial harvest of food fish, shellfish, and salmon. A nonlimited entry delivery license is required to deliver certain food fish or shellfish taken in offshore waters. A limited entry delivery license is required for delivering salmon or ocean pink shrimp taken in offshore waters and delivered to a port in the state. Offshore waters means marine waters of the Pacific Ocean outside the territorial boundaries of the state, including the marine waters of other states and countries.

An "emerging commercial fishery" is the commercial taking of a newly classified species of food fish or shellfish, the commercial taking of a classified species with gear not previously used for that species, or the commercial taking of a classified species in an area from which that species has not been previously taken. The purpose of the designation is to allow scientific data to be collected on fishery impacts.

Summary of Bill:

Under current law, a person is required to obtain a license from the Department of Fish and Wildlife to "deliver" food fish or shellfish, salmon, or ocean pink shrimp taken in offshore waters. "Deliver" is defined as arrival at a place or port, and includes arrivals from offshore waters to waters within the state and arrivals from state or offshore waters. Fish or shellfish taken under an emerging commercial fishery are not subject to the nonlimited entry delivery license requirement.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.