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House committee approves Pearson's bill
to create fishery advisory group
A measure aimed at creating more fishing opportunities that would help
maximize economic benefits to communities in Washington unanimously
passed the House Fisheries, Ecology and Parks Committee today.
Prime-sponsored by
Rep.
Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, House Bill 2920 would authorize the
creation of a special economic fishery advisory committee that would
review and provide guidance on fishing seasons and their impacts to
local economies.
"The governor has put in a budget request for $120,000 for a Lake
Washington Sockeye run. That’s expected to generate up to $6 million for
the economy around Lake Washington," said Pearson. "We’re looking at
this bill to create more of those recreational fishing opportunities
throughout the state and help our local communities economically."
Under the bill, recreational fishing stakeholders within six regions
across the state may form a special economic fishery advisory committee
of between five and no more than 15 members representing a balance of
recreational fishers, sport fishing organizations, and local business
owners.
The committee may review and provide guidance on proposed recreational
and commercial fishing seasons and advise the Department of Fish and
Wildlife of significant economic impacts to local economies from
proposed fishing seasons. In addition, the committee and the department
would work together to develop alternative fishing seasons that would
maximize economic benefits to local communities.
Pearson said the measure would be especially helpful for communities
near rivers and lakes throughout Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and northern
King counties.
"The 39th District has some of the best fishing opportunities in the
state. From the Skagit River in the north, to the Snohomish, the Sauk,
and Skykomish rivers in the southern and eastern parts of the district,
recreational fishing brings in a large amount of dollars to our local
economies," said Pearson. "This measure will seek to make the most of
those fishing opportunities, attracting more dollars into our local
communities, which in turn will provide more jobs and a better local
economy."
The measure will be referred to another House committee for further
consideration.
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer:
(360) 786-7252
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