H-1842              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 2085

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State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representative R. King

Read first time 2/17/89 and referred to Committee on Fisheries & Wildlife.

AN ACT Relating to fishery management; adding a new section to chapter 75.08 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that the wise management and economic health of the state's recreational fishing industry is of paramount importance to the people of the state and to the economy of the state as a whole.  The legislature finds that it is in the best social, economic, and cultural interest of the state to provide, maintain, and enhance recreational fishing opportunities in the state and offshore waters.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 75.08 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The director, whenever practicable, shall adopt rules that emphasize additional recreational fishing opportunity; however, such rules shall not significantly alter or eliminate the state's commercial fishing industry.

          (2) The director shall report annually to the chairs of the senate environment and natural resources committee and the house of representatives fisheries and wildlife committee on all rules that emphasize recreational opportunity and provide an estimate of the number of additional fish harvested by recreational anglers under each rule adopted during the reporting period.  The first report shall be submitted by January 1, 1990.