SENATE BILL REPORT

SHCR 4403

BYHouse Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives K. Wilson, Haugen, Basich and P. King) 

Providing for the development of rules to permit gillnet fishing during daylight hours.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 22, 1988; February 25, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Benitz, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Owen, Patterson.

Senate Staff:Ross Antipa (786-7413)

                  February 25, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 25, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Commercial fishing for sockeye salmon is regulated by the Fraser River Area Sockeye Panel, an international governing body.  Membership on the panel consists of U.S. and Canadian government fisheries management staff and commercial fishermen.  The panel meets each spring to determine harvest quotas, seasons and regulations for the various fishing groups -- purse seiners, gillnetters, etc.  The fishing takes place in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Strait of Georgia.

By agreement, the two major gear groups (purse seiners and gillnetters) alternate who fishes first in the season.  Gillnetters fish during the hours of dusk to early morning and purse seiners fish during daylight hours only.  In recent years, the technology of gillnets has changed to permit successful daylight gillnetting.  The change came when monofilament gillnets were developed and their use legalized.  Prior to the development of monofilament gillnets, salmon could see the net and swim around it.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Fisheries is requested by the Legislature to meet with the Fraser River Area Sockeye Panel and to explore the possibility of developing rules permitting daylight gillnetting for sockeye salmon.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The resolution is not intended to change the allocation of salmon between user groups.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Lloyd Phinney, Department of Fisheries; Steve Arbaugh, Puget Sound Gillnetters; Rob Zuanich, Purse Seine Vessel Association