SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5021

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As of January 12, 2001

Title:  An act relating to the protection of threatened or endangered salmon in commercial salmon net fisheries.

Brief Description:  Placing catch observers on commercial net fishing boats.

Sponsors:  Senator Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines:

______________________________________________________________________________SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Background:  Commercial salmon net fisheries can be conducted in a manner that primarily harvests surplus salmon stocks that can be harvested without harming the spawning escapement.  However, even the most carefully designated commercial net fisheries can inadvertently harvest nontarget species or stocks which are intermingled with the target catch.

The presence of catch observers on commercial salmon net fishing vessels can monitor the catch for the nontarget species or threatened or endangered stocks.

Summary of Bill:  The Fish and Wildlife Commission must not authorize a commercial salmon net fishing in areas where threatened or endangered salmon are known to occur unless observers are placed on the boats that participate in the fishery.  The director determines the number and distribution of observers by utilizing the best statistical methods.  Observers may be department employees or trained volunteers.

Data from the observer program must be provided to treaty Indian tribes, federal fisheries management agencies and the public.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 12, 2001.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.