H-1438              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1851

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State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Haugen, S. Wilson, Cole, Bowman, Morris, Raiter and Spanel

Read first time 2/8/89 and referred to Committee on Fisheries & Wildlife.

AN ACT Relating to the establishment of fisheries through a special harvest permit; adding a new section to chapter 75.30 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature declares that scientific information is critical to properly manage an emerging fishery.  This information can be obtained through the use of limited commercial fisheries that allow the setting of harvest levels and other controls that will preserve and protect the fishery resource.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 75.30 RCW to read as follows:

          The director of the department of fisheries may issue permits for commercial harvests in emerging fisheries.  The director shall determine by rule the number and qualification of participants.  The director may allow expansion of the fishery but shall limit the fishery to ensure conservation of the resource and prevent overharvesting.