HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5288

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Metcalf, Vognild, Craswell, Benitz, Barr and Amondson)

Providing for the production of salmon smolts by private aquaculturists.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives R. King, Chair; Morris, Vice Chair; S. Wilson, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Brooks, Haugen, Smith and Spanel.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (3)

      Signed by Representatives Bowman, Cole and Vekich.

House Staff:Pamela Madson (786-7310)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 12, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Washington Department of Fisheries currently operates 32 major hatcheries and 15 satellite facilities.  Five satellite hatcheries are closed and two are proposed for closure in the 1989-91 budget. Additionally, the department participates in cooperative food fish rearing projects with volunteer groups.

No private contracting for smolt purchase or smolt rearing currently occurs with the Department of Fisheries.

The department is authorized to sell surplus salmon eggs after the needs of the following are met:  the state's hatcheries, supervised voluntary salmon culture programs, and qualified transferees and exchangees.  A priority is established through administrative regulation for the sale of surplus eggs.

SUMMARY:

The director of Fisheries may contract with fishermen's cooperatives and private aquaculturists for the purchase of quality salmon smolts.

Salmon eggs in excess of department hatchery needs will be made available for rearing to smolt stage by private contractors.  In providing eggs to private contractors, priority shall be given to those contractors who intend to release the smolt in Washington waters over those contractors who intend to release the smolt in non-Washington waters.

Contracting for smolt production shall be by competitive bid process with preference given to nonprofit corporations.  The director of Fisheries will establish the criteria for the contract.

There is no authorization of private ocean ranching through the provisions of this bill.  Once released, privately contracted smolts become the property of the state.

The director of Fisheries will supply cost estimates for operating all state-funded hatchery facilities along with the department's biennial budget request.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Jack Metcalf, Prime Sponsor; Gene Deschamps, fish biologist for the Chehalis Tribe;  Jim Zimmerman, Trout Lodge; and Steve Arbaugh, Puget Sound Gillnetters.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Ed Manary, Department of Fisheries; and Eugene St. John, Washington Public Employees' Association.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Providing for the contracting out of hatchery facilities and encouraging private contractor and volunteer rearing of salmon will help meet the goal of doubling salmon runs by the year 2000.  The Simpson hatchery should remain in operation.  Enhanced salmon production will benefit all the salmon fisheries.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Previous legislation has directed the Department of Fisheries to provide a plan for doubling salmon runs by the year 2000.  The plans are proceeding with the Columbia River plan due in 1990, and the Coast and Puget Sound plan due in 1992, and they should be allowed to be completed.  Some hatcheries are closed due to lack of funds.  When facilities are required to be contracted out to private contractors, state employees' jobs are eliminated.  The cost saving of this proposal is questionable.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 95; Excused 3

Excused:    Representatives Fraser, Gallagher and D. Sommers