FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 2107

                         C 239 L 99

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Limiting fishing of shrimp.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Natural Resources (Originally sponsored by Representatives Anderson and Linville).

House Committee on Natural Resources

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation

Background:

An "emerging commercial fishery" is the commercial taking of a newly classified species of food fish or shellfish, the commercial taking of a classified species with gear not previously used for that species, or the commercial taking of a classified species in an area from which that species has not been previously taken.  The purpose of the designation is to allow scientific data to be collected on fishery impacts.

The director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife may by rule designate a fishery as an emerging commercial fishery.  The director must include in the designation whether the fishery is one that requires a vessel.  Within five years after adopting rules to govern the number of participants in an emerging commercial fishery, the director must provide a report to the Legislature which outlines the status of the fishery and a recommendation as to whether a separate commercial fishery license, license fee, or limited harvest program should be established for that fishery.

A person may not take food fish or shellfish in a fishery designated as an emerging commercial fishery without an emerging commercial fishery license and a permit from the director.  Two permit types are created:  (1) a trial fishery permit which is issued if the number of participants in an emerging commercial fishery does not need to be restricted; and (2) an experimental fishery permit which is issued if the number of participants in an emerging commercial fishery does need to be restricted.

In 1994, the director adopted a rule designating the Puget Sound shrimp pot and Puget Sound shrimp trawl fisheries were designated as emerging commercial fisheries for which vessels are required.  The rule also establishes that Puget Sound shrimp may only be fished with an experimental fishery permit, determines who may qualify for obtaining a permit, and limits the transferability of the permits.

A limited entry fishery is one that controls the amount of fishing effort by restricting the number of operators or vessels.

Summary:

The Puget Sound shrimp emerging commercial fisheries is converted to a limited entry fishery.  Clarification and guidance are provided to persons who will be affected by the transfer.  Fees for the shrimp pot limited entry fishery are established.  As of January 1, 2000,  both shrimp pot and shrimp trawl fishers must have a shrimp pot or shrimp trawl Puget Sound fishery license.  As of January 1, 2000, the fishery will be restricted to those fishers who held an emerging commercial fishery license the previous year.  The Department of Fish and Wildlife and the shrimp industry are directed to refine the limited entry program and to report to the Legislature by December 31, 1999.

Votes on Final Passage:

House960

Senate440(Senate amended)

House970(House concurred)

Effective:July 25, 1999