Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

HB 2881

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 Summary of Bill

Authorizes Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to facilitate and provide oversight in the collection and disposition of excess state hatchery salmon.
Requires the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, prior to selling surplus salmon, to first provide an opportunity for Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups to utilize the surplus salmon pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding.

Background:

Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group.

A Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group (RFEG) is a local, incorporated, non-profit organization relying primarily on volunteer efforts to enhance salmon resources and develop projects designed to aid the fishery enhancement capability of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Fourteen such groups have been formed and recognized by the WDFW.

Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group Account.

A portion of each recreational fishing license fee is deposited into the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group Account (Account). A surcharge of $100 is collected on each commercial salmon fishery license, each salmon delivery license, and each salmon charter license sold in the state. The money in the Account is used exclusively for RFEG projects.

Surplus Salmon.

Adequate returns of salmon to fish hatcheries are required for future propagation of salmon. "Surplus" hatchery salmon are fish that return to hatcheries in numbers greater than needed for broodstock. Eggs and semen are collected from the fish and thus produce "spawned out" salmon carcasses at hatcheries.

Currently, the WDFW bids out the sale of the salmon carcasses and eggs.

Salmon carcasses may be given to state institutions or schools or to economically depressed people, unless the salmon are unfit for human consumption. Salmon not fit for human consumption may be sold by the WDFW for animal food, fish food, or for industrial purposes.

The WDFW may supply, at a reasonable charge, surplus salmon eggs to a person for use in the cultivation of salmon. The WDFW must only sell salmon eggs from stocks that are not suitable for salmon population rehabilitation or enhancement. The WDFW cannot intentionally create a surplus of salmon to provide eggs for sale.

Summary of Bill:

Authority for Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding.

A RFEG may enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the WDFW that allows the RFEG to facilitate and provide oversight in the collection and disposition of excess state hatchery salmon. The MOU may be executed with a single RFEG or a coalition of RFEGs.

Once executed, the WDFW must provide all surplus salmon, including carcasses and eggs, from the state hatcheries subject to the MOU to the MOU's signatories. The signatories must use the surplus salmon in a manner that most efficiently increases base funds for RFEGs and their programs, offsets operation and maintenance costs at dedicated hatchery facilities, maximizes nutrient enhancement opportunities, and increases the value of donations to state food bank distribution centers.

Surplus Salmon.

The WDFW may sell surplus salmon from state hatcheries, including eggs and carcasses. The WDFW may also sell salmon not fit for human consumption for animal food, fish food, watershed nutrient enhancement, or for industrial purposes. The WDFW may require that a portion of the provided surplus salmon be processed and returned to the state.

Prior to selling surplus salmon, the WDFW must first provide an opportunity for a RFEG, or a coalition of RFEGs, to utilize the surplus salmon pursuant to a MOU.

All profits from the sale of surplus salmon must be deposited into the Account. Also, any net revenue derived from execution of a MOU must be deposited into the Account for use by the RFEG or RFEGs that are signatories to the MOU.