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State
Washington
Chapter 77.105 RCW Recreational salmon and marine fish enhancement program

Chapter 77.105 RCW
Recreational salmon and marine fish enhancement program


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77.105.005
Findings.
The legislature finds that recreational fishing opportunities for salmon and marine bottomfish have been dwindling in recent years. It is important to restore diminished recreational fisheries and to enhance the salmon and marine bottomfish resource to assure sustained productivity. Investments made in recreational fishing programs will repay the people of the state many times over in increased economic activity and in an improved quality of life.


[1993 sp.s. c 2 § 82. Formerly RCW 75.54.005.]




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77.105.010
Program created — Coordinator.
There is created within the department of fish and wildlife the Puget Sound recreational salmon and marine fish enhancement program. The department of fish and wildlife shall identify a coordinator for the program who shall act as spokesperson for the program and shall:

(1) Coordinate the activities of the Puget Sound recreational salmon and marine fish enhancement program, including the Lake Washington salmon fishery; and

(2) Work within and outside of the department to achieve the goals stated in this chapter, including coordinating with the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement oversight committee established in RCW 77.105.160.


[2003 c 173 § 1; 1998 c 245 § 157; 1993 sp.s. c 2 § 83. Formerly RCW 75.54.010.]




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77.105.020
Department responsibilities.
The department shall: Develop a short-term program of hatchery-based salmon enhancement using freshwater pond sites for the final rearing phase; solicit support from cooperative projects, regional enhancement groups, and other supporting organizations; conduct comprehensive research on resident and migratory salmon production opportunities; and conduct research on marine bottomfish production limitations and on methods for artificial propagation of marine bottomfish.

Long-term responsibilities of the department are to: Fully implement enhancement efforts for Puget Sound and Hood Canal resident salmon and marine bottomfish; identify opportunities to reestablish salmon runs into areas where they no longer exist; encourage naturally spawning salmon populations to develop to their fullest extent; and fully utilize hatchery programs to improve recreational fishing.


[1993 sp.s. c 2 § 84. Formerly RCW 75.54.020.]




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77.105.030
Planning and operation of programs — Assistance from nondepartmental sources.
The department shall seek recommendations from persons who are expert on the planning and operation of programs for enhancement of recreational fisheries. The department shall fully use the expertise of the University of Washington college of fisheries and the sea grant program to develop research and enhancement programs.


[1993 sp.s. c 2 § 85. Formerly RCW 75.54.030.]




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77.105.040
Delayed-release chinook salmon — Freshwater rearing.
The department shall develop new locations for the freshwater rearing of delayed-release chinook salmon. In calendar year 1994, at least one freshwater pond chinook salmon rearing site shall be developed and begin production in each of the following areas: South Puget Sound, central Puget Sound, north Puget Sound, and Hood Canal. Natural or artificial pond sites shall be preferred to net pens due to higher survival rates experienced from pond rearing. Rigorous predatory bird control measures shall be implemented. The goal of the program is to increase the production and planting of delayed-release chinook salmon to a level of three million fish annually by the year 2000.


[1993 sp.s. c 2 § 86. Formerly RCW 75.54.040.]




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77.105.050
Marine bottomfish species — Research, methods, and programs for artificial rearing.
The department shall conduct research, develop methods, and implement programs for the artificial rearing and release of marine bottomfish species. Lingcod, halibut, rockfish, and Pacific cod shall be the species of primary emphasis due to their importance in the recreational fishery.


[1993 sp.s. c 2 § 87. Formerly RCW 75.54.050.]




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77.105.060
Additional research.
The department shall undertake additional research to more fully evaluate improved enhancement techniques, hooking mortality rates, methods of mass marking, improvement of catch models, and sources of marine bottomfish mortality. Research shall be designed to give the best opportunity to provide information that can be applied to real-world recreational fishing needs.


[1993 sp.s. c 2 § 88. Formerly RCW 75.54.060.]




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77.105.070
Siting process for enhancement projects — Cooperation with other entities.
The department shall work with the department of ecology and local government entities to streamline the siting process for new enhancement projects. The department is encouraged to work with the legislature to develop statutory changes that enable expeditious processing and granting of permits for fish enhancement projects.


[1994 c 264 § 47; 1993 sp.s. c 2 § 89. Formerly RCW 75.54.070.]




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77.105.080
Public awareness program.
The department's information and education section shall develop a public awareness program designed to educate the public on the elements of the recreational fishing program and to recruit volunteers to assist the department in implementing recreational fishing projects. Economic benefits of the program shall be emphasized.


[1993 sp.s. c 2 § 90. Formerly RCW 75.54.080.]




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77.105.090
Management of predators.
The department shall increase efforts to document the effects of bird predators, harbor seals, sea lions, and predatory fish upon the salmon and marine fish resource. Every opportunity shall be explored to convince the federal government to amend the marine mammal protection act to allow for balanced management of predators, as well as to work with the United States fish and wildlife service to achieve workable control measures for predatory birds.


[1993 sp.s. c 2 § 91. Formerly RCW 75.54.090.]




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77.105.100
Plans to target hatchery-produced fish — Participation by fishing interests — Feasibility of increased survival and production of chinook and coho salmon.
Indian tribal fishing interests and non-Indian commercial fishing groups shall be invited to participate in development of plans for selective fisheries that target hatchery-produced fish and minimize catch of naturally spawned fish. In addition, talks shall be initiated on the feasibility of altering the rearing programs of department hatcheries to achieve higher survival and greater production of chinook and coho salmon.


[1993 sp.s. c 2 § 92. Formerly RCW 75.54.100.]




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77.105.110
Coordination of sport fishing program with wild stock initiative.
The department shall coordinate the sport fishing program with the wild stock initiative to assure that the two programs are compatible and potential conflicts are avoided.


[1993 sp.s. c 2 § 93. Formerly RCW 75.54.110.]




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77.105.120
Increased recreational access to salmon and marine fish resources — Plans.
The department shall develop plans for increased recreational access to salmon and marine fish resources. Proposals for new boat launching ramps and pier fishing access shall be developed.


[1993 sp.s. c 2 § 94. Formerly RCW 75.54.120.]




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77.105.130
Recreational fishing projects — Contracting with entities.
The department shall contract with private consultants, aquatic farms, or construction firms, where appropriate, to achieve the highest benefit-to-cost ratio for recreational fishing projects.


[1993 sp.s. c 2 § 95. Formerly RCW 75.54.130.]




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77.105.140
Saltwater, combination fishing license — Disposition of fee.
As provided in RCW 77.32.440, a portion of each saltwater and combination fishing license fee shall be deposited in the recreational fisheries enhancement account created in RCW 77.105.150.


[2000 c 107 § 119; 1998 c 191 § 28; 1997 c 197 § 1; 1993 sp.s. c 2 § 97. Formerly RCW 75.54.140.]

Notes: Effective date -- 1998 c 191: See note following RCW 77.32.400.






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77.105.150
Recreational fisheries enhancement account.
The recreational fisheries enhancement account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from RCW 77.105.140 shall be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for recreational fisheries enhancement programs identified in this chapter. Under no circumstances may moneys from the account be used to backfill shortfalls in other state funding sources.


[2003 c 173 § 3; 2000 c 107 § 120; 1993 sp.s. c 2 § 98. Formerly RCW 75.54.150.]




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77.105.160
Oversight committee — Created — Duties.
(1) The Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement oversight committee is created. The director shall appoint at least seven members representing sport fishing organizations to the committee from a list of applicants, ensuring broad representation from the sport fishing community. Each member shall serve for a term of two years, and may be reappointed for subsequent two-year terms at the discretion of the director. Members of the committee serve without compensation.

(2) The Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement oversight committee has the following duties:

(a) Advise the department on all aspects of the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement program;

(b) Review and provide guidance on the annual budget for the recreational fisheries enhancement account;

(c) Select a chair of the committee. It is the chair's duty to coordinate with the department on all issues related to the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement program;

(d) Meet at least quarterly with the department's coordinator of the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement program;

(e) Review and comment on program documents and proposed production of salmon and other species; and

(f) Address other issues related to the purposes of the Puget Sound recreational fisheries enhancement program that are of interest to recreational fishers in Puget Sound.


[2003 c 173 § 2.]




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77.105.900
Effective date — 1993 sp.s. c 2 §§ 7, 60, 80, and 82-100.
Sections 7, 60, 80, and 82 through 100 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1993.


[1993 sp.s. c 2 § 105. Formerly RCW 75.54.900.]




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77.105.901
Severability — 1993 sp.s. c 2.
See RCW 43.300.901.