H-2214 _______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 223
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 50th Legislature 1987 Regular Session
By House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Sutherland, Peery, Nutley, L. Smith, Sanders, Cooper, Rayburn, Holm and Bumgarner)
Read first time 3/6/87 and passed to Committee on Rules.
AN ACT Relating to recreational fishing for salmon and sturgeon; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature recognizes that Washington citizens place a very high value on their fishery resources and that they expect to see these resources managed prudently. Wise management of these resources contributes to the well-being of the people of the state and to the economy of the state as a whole. The legislature finds that sport and commercial fishing industries in Washington play an important role in the economy. Salmon and sturgeon contribute to the food supply and provide valuable recreational opportunities. The commercial and sport salmon and sturgeon fisheries in Washington represent an industry producing hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefits. Together the two fisheries support thousands of jobs and constitute the major industry in a number of towns. Though much information is available regarding the two fisheries, much of it is either too broad or too narrow to be useful in assessing how sport and commercial fisheries benefit local economies. The department of fisheries needs information regarding the value of various fisheries to assist in determining the best fisheries management practices.
(2) The department of community development shall undertake a study of the economic impact of the harvest of salmon and sturgeon by sport and commercial fisheries in Washington state on local economies. In preparing the report, the department of community development shall work with the departments of fisheries and trade and economic development and any other agency that may have useful information. Each agency shall assist to the fullest extent possible. The department of community development shall also request the assistance of the economic development executives of Washington and the state economic development board.
In preparing the report, the department of community development may accept financial and in-kind support from private organizations and the state or federal government. If the department receives funding it shall contract with an independent contractor to prepare the recommendations concerning the best fisheries management practices. The department may also enter into contracts to assist in preparation of the report.
(3) The director of the department of community development shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 1988, on the effect of incorporating economic factors into fisheries management for salmon and sturgeon in Washington waters. The report will recommend any necessary changes in law or rules; identify new facilities needed, their development costs, and the location and time necessary for development; recommend alternative management strategies necessary to provide stable recreational and commercial fishing seasons and harvest levels; identify any changes necessary in regulations developed by either the Pacific Salmon Commission or the Pacific Fisheries Management Council; identify possible impacts of enhancing weak coho and chinook salmon stocks; and identify alternative management strategies available to increase fishing opportunities for commercial and recreational fishermen. The report shall identify the sports and commercial fishing economic benefits to the state and local economies. The report shall also identify a means of providing stability to the commercial fishing fleet. The department shall work with sports and commercial fishing groups and the appropriate legislative committees in preparing this report.
(4) The department of community development shall hold at least two public hearings prior to submitting the report.