5980-S.E AMH KING WATS 5

ESSB 5980 - H AMD 000747 ADOPTED 5-5-93

By Representative King and others

     On page 30, after line 22, insert:

     "NEW SECTION. Sec. 50.    A new section is added to chapter 75.28 RCW to read as follows:

     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definition in this section applies throughout this chapter. 

     "Coastal crab" means Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) taken in all Washington territorial and offshore waters south of the United States-Canada boundary and west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh Line (a line from the western end of Cape Flattery to Tatoosh Island Lighthouse, then to the buoy adjacent to Duntz Rock, then in a straight line to Bonilla Point of Vancouver Island), Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, and the Columbia river.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 51.  A new section is added to chapter 75.28 RCW to read as follows:

     Effective January 1, 1994, it is unlawful to fish for coastal crab in Washington state waters or to deliver coastal crab to a port in the state if the crab is harvested with a vessel equipped with more than four hundred crab pots.  This section shall not apply to deliveries that are necessary due to bona fide emergencies as determined by the director.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 52.  If the director of the department of fisheries develops proposed legislation as a result of its study on coastal crab pursuant to chapter 9, Laws of 1992, the director shall involve the commercial crab industry in the preparation of such legislation."

     Renumber remaining sections consecutively and correct internal references accordingly.

EFFECT:  Except in cases of emergency, requires vessels landing Dungeness crab in Washington, or harvesting Dungeness crab in Washington waters, to fish no more than 400 crab pots.  Requires the Department of Fisheries to involve the coastal crab industry in preparing legislation if such legislation is prepared by the Department as a result of its coastal crab study.