FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5288

                              C 336 L 89

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.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Fisheries does not utilize private aquaculturists to assist the department in the production of salmon to plant in public waters.  Fishermen's cooperatives are currently not monetarily compensated for salmon they produce to stock public waters.  The aquaculture industry and fishermen's cooperatives could assist the state in achieving its salmon restoration goals by providing privately produced salmon, under a contract, at a reasonable cost.

SUMMARY:

The director of Fisheries may contract with the private salmon aquaculture industry or with fishermen's cooperatives to produce salmon smolts for release into public waters if all department operated salmon hatcheries are operated at full capacity.  The director shall give preference to nonprofit corporations in the awarding of leases to state salmon culture facilities.  The department shall provide eggs to private contractors at a higher priority if the resultant fish are to stock public waters.  The director shall provide information on the cost of operating all state-funded hatcheries at full capacity with the department's biennial budget request.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   40    8

     House 95  0 (House amended)

     Senate          (Senate refused to concur)

     House           (House refused to recede)

Conference Committee

     House 97  0

     Senate   47    0

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989