Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

HB 2561

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Regarding Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record cards.

Sponsors: Representatives Blake and Linville; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Authorizes the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue an administrative penalty for individuals that fail to return their Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record card.
    • Exempts the failure to return a Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record card as a misdemeanor violation.

Hearing Date:

Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).

Background:

Catch record card rules are adopted by the Fish and Wildlife Commission (the Commission). There is no charge for an initial catch record card. Each subsequent or duplicate catch record card costs ten dollars [RCW 77.32.430].

In order to catch Dungeness crab, a fisher must possess a valid catch record card officially endorsed for Dungeness crab. A license to take and possess Dungeness crab is only valid in Puget Sound waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line. The endorsement costs no more than three dollars when purchased for a personal use saltwater, combination, or shellfish and seaweed license. The endorsement costs no more than one dollar when purchased for a temporary combination fishing license [RCW 77.32.430].

The funds received from the sale of catch record cards and the Dungeness crab endorsements are deposited into the state wildlife account. The funds received from the Dungeness crab endorsement are used for the sampling, monitoring, and management of the catch associated with the Dungeness crab recreational fisheries [RCW 77.32.430].

Every person issued a Puget Sound crab catch record card must return their catch record card to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) no later than the required return date printed on the catch record card or report their catch record card information on the internet site designated on the catch record card by the same date [WAC 220-56-175].

Anyone failing to return their catch record card to the WDFW is guilty of the crime of "violating rules requiring reporting of fish or wildlife harvest," a misdemeanor [RCW 77.15.280].

Summary of Bill:

The Commission may set an administrative penalty for failure to return to the WDFW a Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record card. The Commission may also require fishers who did not return their Puget Sound crab catch record card the previous year to complete a report and pay an administrative penalty before a new catch record card is issued. The penalty may not exceed $25.

The WDFW will report each year to the House of Representatives and the Senate the rate of fisher compliance with the Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record card reporting requirements, the administrative penalties imposed, and the amount of administrative penalties collected.

The failure to return a Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record card is exempt from a misdemeanor violation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/8/2008.

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