SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5495

BYSenators Stratton, McDonald, DeJarnatt, Patterson, West, Saling and Barr

Revising provisions relating to taking food fish for personal use.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 17, 1987; February 24, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5495 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; DeJarnatt, Vice Chairman; Barr, Conner, Patterson, Stratton.

Senate Staff:Ross Antipa (786-7413)

                  February 24, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 24, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Recreational salmon fishermen between the ages of 16 and 69 are required to purchase a salmon angling license (punchcard).  There are no other licensing requirements of recreational food fish fishermen.

The Department of Fisheries has stated that licensing of all food fish recreational anglers would increase opportunities for federal funding of state fishery programs, as well as providing more funding for the state general fund.

SUMMARY:

A personal use license is required for recreational harvesting of food fish.  The fee for the annual license is $3 for residents and $9 for nonresidents.  Charter boat or other food fish anglers may purchase a two-day combined license/punchcard for $3.  Salmon punchcards are also required for people who fish for salmon with an annual license, the fee for salmon punchcards is $3.  Salmon punchcards are valid for a maximum catch of 15 fish.

Licensing reciprocity with Oregon is extended to Leadbetter Point if Oregon approves license reciprocity of Washington licenses southward to Cape Falcon.  A punchcard is authorized for sturgeon, lingcod, or halibut; the fee is $3.  The dealer's fee for a Department of Fisheries license is set at 50 cents each.  Fees from the sale of licenses and punchcards are deposited in the general fund for appropriation to the salmon, marine fish and shellfish programs of the Department.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Sturgeon fishermen who fish above Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River are not required to have a personal use license.  A technical change is made that allows persons to purchase licenses and punchcards at the end of one calendar year to be used in the following year.  The sturgeon, lingcod and halibut punchcard is clearly defined as a single document.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Ray Nelson, commercial fisherman; Curt Smitch, Dept. of Fisheries; Phil Anderson, Washington Charter Association; Bob Petersen, Port of Ilwaco