BILL REQ. #:  H-4861.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/10/04.   

     AN ACT Relating to special economic recreational fisheries; amending RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, and 77.12.760; adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that recreational fishing generated approximately eight hundred thirty-five million dollars in economic activity in 2001. The legislature further finds that recreational fishing seasons provide significant economic benefits to local economies. The legislature therefore finds that an advisory group of affected stakeholders could assist the fish and wildlife commission and the director by making recommendations regarding fishing seasons and allocation of harvestable fish in a manner that accomplishes fishery management objectives and maximizes benefits to local communities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Recreational and commercial fishing stakeholders may form a special economic fishery advisory committee within an administrative region of the department by notifying the director. A special economic fishery advisory committee shall consist of a minimum of five and no more than fifteen members representing a balance of local interests including but not limited to recreational fishers, sport fishing organizations, commercial fishing interests, and local business owners. Commercial fishing interests may choose not to participate in a special economic fishery advisory committee when the committee only addresses fishery resources harvested by recreational fishers.
     (2) A special economic fishery advisory committee may:
     (a) Review and provide guidance on proposed recreational and commercial fishing seasons within an administrative region of the department;
     (b) Advise the department of significant economic impacts to local economies of proposed fishing seasons;
     (c) Recommend to the department and commission the development of alternative fishing seasons that accomplish fishery management objectives and maximize economic benefits to local communities; and
     (d) Not meet more than three times per calendar year unless additional meetings are approved in writing by the director.

Sec. 3   RCW 77.04.012 and 2000 c 107 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     Wildlife, fish, and shellfish are the property of the state. The commission, director, and the department shall preserve, protect, perpetuate, and manage the wildlife and food fish, game fish, and shellfish in state waters and offshore waters.
     The department shall conserve the wildlife and food fish, game fish, and shellfish resources in a manner that does not impair the resource. In a manner consistent with this goal, the department shall seek to maintain the economic well-being and stability of the fishing industry in the state. The department shall promote orderly fisheries and shall enhance and improve recreational and commercial fishing in this state. The department shall work with special economic fishery advisory committees created in section 2 of this act to evaluate alternative fishing seasons and consider the economic impacts to local economies.
     The commission may authorize the taking of wildlife, food fish, game fish, and shellfish only at times or places, or in manners or quantities, as in the judgment of the commission does not impair the supply of these resources.
     The commission shall attempt to maximize the public recreational game fishing and hunting opportunities of all citizens, including juvenile, disabled, and senior citizens.
     Recognizing that the management of our state wildlife, food fish, game fish, and shellfish resources depends heavily on the assistance of volunteers, the department shall work cooperatively with volunteer groups and individuals to achieve the goals of this title to the greatest extent possible.
     Nothing in this title shall be construed to infringe on the right of a private property owner to control the owner's private property.

Sec. 4   RCW 77.04.055 and 2000 c 107 s 204 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In establishing policies to preserve, protect, and perpetuate wildlife, fish, and wildlife and fish habitat, the commission shall meet annually with the governor to:
     (a) Review and prescribe basic goals and objectives related to those policies; and
     (b) Review the performance of the department in implementing fish and wildlife policies.
     The commission shall maximize fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreational opportunities compatible with healthy and diverse fish and wildlife populations. The commission shall work with special economic fishery advisory committees created in section 2 of this act to evaluate alternative fishing seasons and consider the economic impacts to local economies.
     (2) The commission shall establish hunting, trapping, and fishing seasons and prescribe the time, place, manner, and methods that may be used to harvest or enjoy game fish and wildlife.
     (3) The commission shall establish provisions regulating food fish and shellfish as provided in RCW 77.12.047.
     (4) The commission shall have final approval authority for tribal, interstate, international, and any other department agreements relating to fish and wildlife.
     (5) The commission shall adopt rules to implement the state's fish and wildlife laws.
     (6) The commission shall have final approval authority for the department's budget proposals.
     (7) The commission shall select its own staff and shall appoint the director of the department. The director and commission staff shall serve at the pleasure of the commission.

Sec. 5   RCW 77.12.760 and 1993 sp.s. c 2 s 78 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Non-Indian steelhead trout harvest allocations shall be managed solely as a recreational fishery for non-Indian ((fishermen)) fishers under the rule-setting authority of the fish and wildlife commission. The commission shall work with special economic fishery advisory committees created in section 2 of this act to evaluate alternative fishing seasons and consider the economic impacts to local economies.
     (2) Commercial non-Indian steelhead fisheries are not authorized.