SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5036

BYSenator Rasmussen

Restricting sale of surplus salmon eggs by the department of fisheries.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 20, 1987; February 19,1987; January 19, 1988; February 2, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5036 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                  February 2, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 2, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Fisheries is authorized to sell surplus salmon eggs for use in salmon aquaculture and salmon in the round for the bait and caviar markets.

                               Salmon Eggs Sales

                      (not including sales in the round)

!tp1,1,1,2,2 !tj2!tl  Number !tl  Value

!tl1985 !tl Green !tl16,100,000 !tl$112,770

!tj1!tlEyed !tl 2,900,000 !tl  40,600

!tj1 !tlEyed !tl 7,560,000 !tl 105,840

!tj3!tl$259,200

!tl1986 !tlGreen !tl25,612,900 !tl$179,290

!tj1!tlEyed !tl 9,045,000 !tl$126,630

!tj3!tl$305,920

!tl1987 !tlGreen !tl40,000,000

!tl(est)  !tj2!tl$450,000

!tj1!tlEyed!tl10,000,000

In addition, three to four million pounds of fish are sold in the round each year which involves both male salmon and female salmon with eggs.

There is concern that the Department of Fisheries is selling salmon eggs that could be used for salmon propagation projects within watersheds and at hatcheries that are not at full productive capacity.

SUMMARY:

The department shall assess the productivity of each watershed to determine the potential uses of salmon eggs prior to declaring the eggs surplus.  No salmon eggs may be sold as surplus if there is a suitable watershed that is not at full productive capacity.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

A provision to require the department to certify to the Salmon Enhancement Advisory Council that each egg sale does not involve eggs which could be used for production.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Don Stevens, Washington Trollers Association; Ken Ferjancic, Fish Pro Inc.; Dan Cheney, Bay Center Mariculture; Steve Arbaugh, Puget Sound Gillnetters; Moimi Maki, Grays Harbor Gillnetters; Paul Savidge, Fisheries Action Coalition; Ed Manary, Department of Fisheries; Ray Nelson, Commercial Fishermen