HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 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. |
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to the number of Puget Sound Dungeness crab fishery licenses that one vessel may be designated to carry.
Brief Description: Concerning the number of Puget Sound Dungeness crab fishery licenses that one vessel may be designated to carry.
Sponsors: House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Lytton, Blake, Chandler, Haigh and Morris).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 1/24/13, 1/31/13 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/6/13, 93-4.
Passed Senate: 4/17/13, 45-0.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Lytton, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; MacEwen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Haigh, Kretz, Orcutt, Pettigrew, Schmick, Stanford and Warnick.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Dunshee and Van De Wege.
Staff: Cherlyn Walden (786-7296).
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 Substitute Bill:
A vessel may be designated for up to three 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.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The Dungeness crab fishery supports a vital industry in many Puget Sound communities. Recent changes in policies by the Fish and Wildlife Commission that favor recreational crabbing in Puget Sound has led to a decrease in the availability of crabs to the commercial fishery. Stacking additional licenses onto single vessels reduces overhead costs and leads to an increase in profits. This is a strategy to keep people in this industry.
It will be more efficient for the state to carry out regulation and enforcement of the fishery if the licenses are stacked onto fewer vessels.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Lytton, prime sponsor; Rich Childers, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife; and Brian Allison, Puget Sound Crabbers Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.