HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6289
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed House - Amended:
March 5, 2008
Title: An act relating to Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record cards.
Brief Description: Regarding Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record cards.
Sponsors: By Senators Spanel, Swecker, Jacobsen, Morton and Shin; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Brief History:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/20/08, 2/27/08 [DPA].
Floor Activity:
Passed House - Amended: 3/5/08, 85-11.
Brief Summary of Bill (As Amended by House) |
|
|
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Van De Wege, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Grant, Lantz, McCoy, Nelson and Newhouse.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Eickmeyer, Kristiansen, Loomis and Orcutt.
Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).
Background:
Catch record card rules are adopted by the Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission).
There is no charge for an initial catch record card. Each subsequent or duplicate catch record
card costs $10.
In order to catch Dungeness crab, a fisher must possess a valid catch record card officially
endorsed for Dungeness crab. A license to take and possess Dungeness crab is only valid in
Puget Sound waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line. The endorsement costs no more than $3
when purchased for a personal use saltwater, combination, or shellfish and seaweed license.
The endorsement costs no more than $1 when purchased for a temporary combination fishing
license.
The funds received from the sale of catch record cards and the Dungeness crab endorsements
are deposited into the State Wildlife Account. The funds received from the Dungeness crab
endorsement are used for the sampling, monitoring, and management of the catch associated
with the Dungeness crab recreational fisheries.
Every person issued a Puget Sound crab catch record card must return their catch record card
to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) no later than the required
return date printed on the catch record card or report their catch record card information on
the internet site designated on the catch record card by the same date.
Anyone failing to return their catch record card to the WDFW is guilty of the crime of
"violating rules requiring reporting of fish or wildlife harvest," a misdemeanor.
Summary of Amended Bill:
The Commission may set an administrative penalty for failure to return to the WDFW a
Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record card. The Commission may also require fishers
who did not return their Puget Sound crab catch record card the previous year to complete a
report and pay an administrative penalty before a new catch record card is issued. The
penalty may not exceed $10.
The WDFW will report each year to the House of Representatives and the Senate the rate of
fisher compliance with the Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record card reporting
requirements, the administrative penalties imposed, and the amount of administrative
penalties collected.
The failure to return a Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch record card is exempt from a
misdemeanor violation.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 27, 2008.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) It is to the advantage of all parties to have an accurate crab count. The crab
fishery in Puget Sound is fully exploited. The WDFW has done quite a bit to get a response
on the catch cards from the public without a lot of success. The WDFW has support from a
number of organizations on this bill.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Spanel, prime sponsor; and Morris Barker, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.