HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 223

BYHouse Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Sutherland, Peery, Nutley, L. Smith, Sanders, Cooper, Rayburn, Holm and Bumgarner)

Providing increased recreational fishing opportunities for salmon and sturgeon.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. (12)

     Signed by Representatives Sutherland, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Basich, Beck, Belcher, Bumgarner, Cole, Hargrove, R. King, Meyers, Sayan and Spanel.

Minority Report:     Do not pass.  (2)

     Signed by Representatives C. Smith and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 16, 1987

BACKGROUND:

LEGISLATIVE POLICY:  Prior to 1983, the legislature directed the Department of Fisheries to "maintain the economic well-being and stability of the commercial fishing in the state..."  In 1983, the legislature broadened the directive to delete the reference to commercial fishing sited above.  It also added two additional policy directions:  (1) to..."conserve the food fish and shellfish resources in a manner that does not impair the resource", and (2) to "...promote orderly fisheries and...enhance and improve recreational fisheries in this state."

Also in the 1983 session, the legislature directed Fisheries to pursue elimination of set lines to catch sturgeon commercially.  In the next two years, set line catches decreased from 2,900 fish to 800 fish.

MANAGEMENT BODIES:  Because salmon migrate through interstate and international waters, Fisheries must coordinate its actions.  The Columbia River Compact requires Washington and Oregon to agree on regulating, protecting and preserving fish.  Fisheries decisions must be mutually agreed upon.

Alaska, California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington all participate in the Pacific Marine Fisheries Compact.  The commission promotes efforts to protect fish.

The Pacific Fisheries Management Council, consisting of representatives from California, Oregon and Washington develops regulations affecting ocean sport and commercial fisheries.  The council establishes harvest quotas for chinook and coho salmon, by area and gear type.  States, tribes and user groups participate in the process.  By the spring of each year, the council adopts a management plan.

The Pacific Salmon Treaty between the U.S. and Canada also affects salmon management.  It impacts the interceptions of coastal and Columbia River stocks by Alaskan and Canadian fishing.  Each year, a new management plan is developed.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Community Development (DCD) shall prepare a report and present it to the appropriate legislative committees by January 1, 1988.  The report will provide information regarding the value of commercial and sports fisheries on local and state economies.  This information will assist the Department of Fisheries in establishing the best fisheries management practices.  DCD shall work with the Departments of Fisheries and Trade and Economic Development, representatives of the commercial fishing industry, and sports anglers.  DCD may work with the economic councils representing areas directly impacted by fisheries management policies.

The report shall include (1) an evaluation of the economic impact to the state and local communities, (2) recommend any changes in existing laws or rules, (3) recommend changes in regulations developed by either the Pacific Salmon Commission or the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, (4) recommend management strategies necessary to provide stable sports and commercial seasons and harvest levels, (5) identify the impact of enhancing weak coho and chinook stocks, and (6) identify a means of providing stability to the commercial fishing fleet.

DCD will hold at least two public hearings prior to submitting the report.

This substitute bill deletes language that would have established sports fishing as the first priority in the allocation of salmon and sturgeon, making commercial fishing the second priority.  The sports priority applied on the Columbia River, along the Pacific Coast and on the coastal streams.

Instead of directing a change in state policy, the substitute directs that the Department of Community Development (DCD) prepare a report on the impact of sports and commercial fishing on the local and state economy.  This and other information will be used in establishing the best fisheries management practices.  DCD will seek input from other state agencies, local economic councils, and representatives of commercial and sports fisheries.

Fiscal Note:    Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Jerry Pavletich and Larry Moe, Trout Unlimited; Jack Ray, Northwest Steelheaders; Gordon Bardy, Association of Northwest Steelheaders; Dick Watrous, Columbia/Pacific Anglers Association; Steve Watrous, Coalition of Pacific Anglers Association; Ben Silknitter, Sports Fisheries Industries; LeRoy Wickstrom, Willard Christenson, Ron Soalborn, Joe Gretsch, Jim Knutson, all citizens; Phil Anderson, Washington State Charter Boat Association; and Curt Smitch, Washington Department of Fisheries (neither for nor against).

House Committee - Testified Against: Bruce Crookshanks and Irene Martin, Columbia River Fishermen's Protective Union; Doug Fricke and Judy Graham, Washington Trollers Association; Les Clarke and Ted Farnsworth, Northwest Gillnetters Association; Louis Miller, Washington Trollers Association; Mark Loukkanen, fish buyer; Monty Davis, troller; Paul Savidge, Fisheries Action Coalition; and Ben Kiser, Bay Center Fish Company.

House Committee - Testimony For:     Fisheries needs to begin allocating fish in a manner that reflects new demands of society, not historical uses of fish.  By maximizing the sports fishery, the state could see great economic growth, without hurting incomes of professional fishermen.  The proposal would not eliminate any fishery.  Gillnetting should be prohibited in the lower Columbia River.  Commercial fishing has severely depleted Columbia River sturgeon.

House Committee - Testimony Against: This would eliminate gillnet fishing on the lower Columbia River, putting fishermen out of work there and elsewhere.  It would allocate all the fish for a group that does not depend on it for a livelihood.  If sports anglers do not catch all the U.S. allocation of fish, Canadian fishermen could demand a larger share of the catch because the U.S. "wasted" its share.  With "wasted" fish, the federal government would have a reason to reduce or eliminate support of some hatcheries.  A better choice would be to focus energy on getting more fish for everyone.