Title: An act relating to recreational fishing for albacore tuna.

Brief Description: Concerning recreational fishing for albacore tuna.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Oke and Spanel.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 1/12/06, 1/16/06 [DP, DNP].

Passed Senate: 2/8/06, 39-10.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Doumit, Vice Chair; Oke, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Morton and Spanel.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senator Stevens.

Staff: Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background: Fishing for albacore is increasing in popularity. In 2000, 8,000 were caught and by 2005, the number increased to 12,000. Under federal law, albacore is a migratory fish specie and is regulated by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The management plan may soon require a licence to fish recreationally, and both California and Oregon require a license.

Summary of Bill: A recreational fishing license will be required to fish for albacore.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Many recreational fishers have a recreational fishing license when they fish for albacore tuna. Some fishers only fish for albacore, and they may not have a license since none is required for that species. To pay for management of the fishery and to keep track of catch figures all fishers should have a license.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Mark Cedergreen, Westport Charterboat Association; Ed Owens, Coalition of Coastal Fishers; Phil Anderson, Department of Fish and Wildlife.