This bill establishes a new nonspot shrimp pot fishery license in Washington State, amending several sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) related to shrimp fisheries. It introduces the definition of "nonspot shrimp," which includes various species of pandalid shrimp, and outlines the licensing requirements for both the nonspot shrimp pot fishery and the existing shrimp pot and trawl fisheries. The bill specifies that a nonspot shrimp pot fishery license can only be issued to individuals who held a similar license or a shrimp trawl license in the previous year, with provisions for inheritance upon the licensee's death. Additionally, it limits the number of licenses a person can hold and allows for the conversion of shrimp trawl licenses to nonspot shrimp pot licenses.

The bill also includes provisions for designating alternate operators for the licenses, emphasizing that only immediate family members can be designated, with exceptions for medical emergencies. Furthermore, it establishes a framework for the cooperative modification of fishing gear to enhance the efficiency of harvesting nonspot shrimp. The combined total of shrimp trawl and nonspot shrimp pot licenses is capped at five per licensee, ensuring sustainable management of the fishery resources. The bill aims to regulate the nonspot shrimp fishery effectively while providing flexibility for license holders in specific circumstances.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 77.70.005, 77.70.410, 77.70.420, 77.65.220
Substitute Bill: 77.70.005, 77.70.410, 77.70.420, 77.65.220
Bill as Passed Legislature: 77.70.005, 77.70.410, 77.70.420, 77.65.220
Session Law: 77.70.005, 77.70.410, 77.70.420, 77.65.220