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               ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5347

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State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Senators Roach, Oke, Winsley, Snyder, Bauer, Swecker, Morton, Schow, Zarelli, Rossi, Strannigan and Rasmussen)

Read first time 02/03/97.

Creating a program for juvenile fishing only waters.  

    AN ACT Relating to increasing fishing opportunities for juveniles; adding new sections to chapter 77.32 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that providing juvenile fishers with increased opportunity to fish with recreational gear will provide wholesome activities that will better their lives and instill an appreciation for the state's natural resources.  Society as a whole will gain from these positive, youthful experiences, and an important tradition of Northwest life will be perpetuated.  Many youthful fishers will be exposed to a natural experience that will teach them self-confidence, respect for the resource, and remain with them for the rest of their lives.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The fish and wildlife commission must identify, establish, and expand upon specific areas throughout the state that are suitable for a juvenile fishing-only program.  The department must restrict the fishing opportunities in these waters to persons less than eighteen years of age.  The length of the fishing season for juvenile fishing-only waters must be as long as possible to encourage participation year around.  Some juvenile fishing-only waters must be easily accessible from urban areas so as to encourage inner-city youth to participate in fishing activities.

    The department must, as is practical, utilize fish produced in private and public fish hatcheries as a basis for the juvenile fishing opportunities in juvenile fishing-only waters.  The purpose of reliance upon hatchery-produced fish is to provide readily available recreation without adversely impacting naturally produced salmonid stocks.  The utilization of hatchery-produced fish enables the capture and retention of the fish by juvenile fishers without the requirement for catch and release fishing.  The department may establish some waters for juvenile catch and release fishing only, but the major emphasis of the program is upon allowance of catch and retention.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The department must work with cooperative groups, regional fisheries enhancement groups, government agencies, Indian tribes, private fish farmers, and civic groups for the purpose of expanding juvenile fishing-only waters throughout the state.  Organized groups that sponsor group outings for juvenile fishers must be encouraged to the fullest extent.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  The department of fish and wildlife must report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the progress of the juvenile fishing-only program on or before January 31, 1999.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.  Sections 2 and 3 of this act are each added to chapter 77.32 RCW.

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