Can't get a clean copy. This link will take you to the Senate Ag.,Water, Nat. Res., and Parks committee website. Click on SB 5617, then click on bill history, and then on Amds/Proposed Subs and click on PSSB for the current wording


https://app.leg.wa.gov/committeeschedules/Home/Documents/25275

Here's my rough summary:

The timeline for implementation is shortened. Gill nets can't be used in WA waters of the Columbia River starting Jan. 1, 2021. The buy-out format has been changed. It looks like gill nets will remain legal in other waters (Puget Sound, Grays Harbor, and Willapa Bay). Money available for developing new gear for the fishery with an emphasis on avoidance of non-target species, fishing mark selectively, low release rate mortality, and operational effectiveness. with priority for gill netters individually, as a group, or those who have tried seines and pound nets. Selective gear incentive restricted to seines, pound nets, and weirs. Statute talks to maintaining and enhancing hatchery production through removal of surplus hatchery fish.

The bill now goes to the Senate Ways and Means committee. No timeline yet, for that.


Edited by bushbear (02/21/19 05:14 PM)
Edit Reason: specify the correct link