Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

HB 1075

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

Increases the number of Puget Sound Dungeness crab fishery licenses that one vessel may be designated to carry from two to four.

Background:

Commercial fishing for Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) in the Puget Sound requires a Puget Sound Dungeness crab fishery license. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is permitted to issue up to 125 of these licenses.

Prior to 2001, a vessel was not permitted to be designated on more than one fishery license unless the licenses were for different fisheries. An exception was added to allow the same vessel to be designated on two specified licenses, provided that the licenses were owned by the same licensee. The permitted licenses specified are: Puget Sound Dungeness crab fishery license; Shrimp pot Puget Sound fishery license; Sea cucumber dive fishery license; and Sea urchin dive fishery license. In 2005, the exception was amended to allow the same vessel to be designated on two Puget Sound Dungeness crab fishery licenses.

Summary of Bill:

A vessel may be designated for up to four Puget Sound Dungeness crab fishery licenses as long as all licenses are owned by the same licensee. This is an increase from the previous designation of two Puget Sound Dungeness crab fishery licenses.