The bill aims to reform nontribal commercial salmon fisheries in the Washington waters of the Columbia River to enhance conservation efforts for endangered salmon and steelhead populations. It introduces a voluntary buyback program for nontribal commercial gill net licenses, allocating $14.4 million from the 2022 supplemental operating budget to reduce the number of gill net licenses and transition towards more sustainable fishing practices. The legislation emphasizes the development of alternative selective-fishing gear and mandates the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement strategies for sustainable harvests while ensuring that tribal fishing rights remain unaffected.

Key amendments include the prohibition of drift gill nets in the lower mainstem of the Columbia River after January 1, 2025, and the establishment of a nontribal commercial gill net buyback account to fund the license buyback program. Additionally, the bill modifies existing license fees and definitions related to salmon fishing, ensuring that the regulations align with the conservation goals. The effective date for the provisions related to license renewals and fees is set for January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 77.50.030, 77.65.160