BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to anadromous salmonid fishing; adding new sections to chapter 77.12 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:

(a) Sport fishing is an enjoyable, healthy, lifelong activity that is enjoyed by many families;

(b) Anadromous salmonids are a treasure of the state of Washington that provide unparalleled sport fishing opportunities;

(c) Without proper care and consideration, Washington's anadromous salmonids and their spawning grounds can be unintentionally hurt by sport fishers, with long-term consequences for the survival of the species;

(d) Every effort that is made to help preserve the precious resource of anadromous salmonids in Washington, no matter how small, is important;

(e) It can often be difficult to distinguish between species of anadromous salmonids and sport fishers may unintentionally take a scarce fish that is needed for species protection;

(f) Catch and release fishing is beneficial to both sport fishers and fish but must be done properly to prevent harm to the fish;

(g) The state's fishing laws and rules are useful for preserving our fishing resources but, without study, can be difficult for sport fishers to locate and follow;

(h) There is a need for sport fishers to be educated as to what they can do to enjoy their sport while helping to preserve the fish and environment;

(i) It is in the state's best interests to educate sport fishers, young and old;

(j) It is necessary for the preservation of the species that all young sport fishers who engage in sport fishing in Washington are educated about anadromous salmonids; and

(k) Education and outreach are vital components of a long-term protection and recovery strategy for the state.

(2) The legislature therefore declares that all sport fishers should be educated about identification of anadromous salmonid types, catch and release techniques, spawning bed and stream bank identification and protection, and the location and knowledge of fishing rules.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The definitions in this section apply throughout sections 2 and 3 of this act unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Anadromous salmonid" and its derivatives means any of the following types of fish: Salmon of any variety, steelhead trout, and searun cutthroat trout.

(2) "To fish" and its derivatives means an effort to kill, injure, harass, or catch a game fish.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) All anglers should be offered a voluntary, state-approved course of instruction addressing identification of salmon types, catch and release techniques, spawning bed and stream bank identification and protection, and location and knowledge of fishing laws and rules.

(2) The director shall establish a program for training persons in the identification of:

(a) Salmon types;

(b) Catch and release reasoning, equipment, and techniques;

(d) The location and knowledge of fishing laws and rules.

(3) The director may cooperate with organized fishing or sporting groups and other public or private organizations in order to administer the program at the lowest possible cost. The director may apply for funding from alternate sources, both governmental and nongovernmental, in order to lower the cost of the program to the participants.

(4) Upon successful completion of the course, a trainee shall receive a fisher education certificate signed by an authorized instructor.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 2 and 3 of this act are each added to chapter 77.12 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The sum of twenty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of fish and wildlife for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, to carry out the purposes of this act.