S-2782               _______________________________________________

                                   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8419

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senator Metcalf

Read first time 4/21/89 and referred to Committee on Environment & Natural Resources.

WHEREAS, It is the desire of the legislature to provide for enhanced recreational fishing opportunity; and

          WHEREAS, There is legitimate concern that actions taken to enhance the recreational fishery could negatively impact the commercial fishery unless decisions are made in the context of a study of the total state fishery; and

          WHEREAS, The legislature finds that the wise management and economic health of the state's recreational and commercial fishing industries are of vital importance to the people of the state and to the economy of the state as a whole; and

          WHEREAS, The legislature finds that it is in the best social, economic, and cultural interest of the state to provide, maintain, and enhance recreational and commercial fishing opportunities in the state and offshore waters;

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the State of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That a joint select committee on fishery management be established, to consist of twelve members, three from each caucus of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and three from each caucus of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee shall develop specific recommendations on how state policy may be modified to promote both the commercial and recreational fishing industries within the state in order to realize the full potential of the state's fishery resource.  Along with its recommendations, the committee shall:

          (1) Review and evaluate the existing food fish and steelhead enhancement programs within the state, both public and private, and determine the additional resources necessary to successfully implement them;

          (2) Evaluate methods to promote Washington state as a sport fishing area for nonresidents, including the ability of the state to develop trophy quality fisheries in selected marine areas, rivers, and streams;

          (3) Evaluate methods to integrate enhancement efforts of the state and the Indian tribes including dedicated funding for state efforts;

          (4) Identify issues that impact other states, particularly Oregon and Idaho, and evaluate mechanisms that will ensure a cooperative relationship among the states to develop management policy to conserve and enhance the resource;

          (5) Evaluate commercial fishing licenses, including rate structure and rate-setting criteria, termination of licenses, and restricting transferability of license ownership; and

          (6) Examine the management and funding of the department of fisheries and recommend changes necessary to enable the department to achieve goals established by the legislature; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee shall establish an advisory group of all interested parties; have access to and the assistance of legislative staff and employees of state agencies as necessary to perform the study and develop recommendations, and report to the legislature prior to the 1990 legislative session.