Photo by: Methow Valley News Online
Legislation seeks to enhance the economic, conservation, and WDFW license revenue benefits of sportfishing
(Olympia, Wash.) On February 5, 2015, a bipartisan group of key Senators introduced legislation, Senate Bill 5844, to prioritize recreational fishing and its many benefits to Washington State, which was once referred to as the “sportfishing capitol of the world.” SB 5844 seeks to enhance recreational fishing opportunity, grow the economic value of sport fisheries, and recognize the revenue being generated by recreational fishing license buyers to fund the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The introduction of SB 5844 follows the introduction of companion legislation in the House, HB 1660, which was introduced last week by a bipartisan group of 13 legislators.
There are over 800,000 recreational anglers that buy licenses and fish in Washington each year, making sportfishing a billion dollar industry supporting over 16,200 jobs and is the largest source of revenue for WDFW. Recreational anglers also make significant contributions to conservation, through funding, volunteerism, and the adoption of selective fisheries to better protect our wild salmon and steelhead.
“We applaud the introduction of this important legislation to recognize and grow the economic, social, and conservation benefits of recreational fishing,” said Nello Picinich, Executive Director of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Washington. “For far too long our state’s polices have often put the desires of a handful of commercial interests ahead of the best interests of the state’s residents and the health of our fisheries resources.”
“A bill of this magnitude not only secures the future of our jobs, but allows for long term growth in our industry,” said Buzz Ramsey, NSIA Board Member and Brand Manager for Yakima Bait, employing over 85 people in Granger WA. “Benefits of this bill will be felt far beyond our rural community and will trickle through the entire state of Washington. On behalf of the sport fishing industry, we are thankful for the bold leadership and vision of these Senators.”
The prime sponsor of SB 5844 is Republican Senator Ann Rivers (R-District 18). Other Republican sponsors include Senator Mike Hewitt (District 16) Senator John Braun (District 20) and Senator Judy Warnick (District 13). Democratic sponsors include Senator Christine Rolfes (District 23), Senator Kevin Ranker (District 40) and Senator Marco Liias (District 21). The legislation resulted, in part, from discussions between Representative Liz Pike (R-Camas) and local constituents in Southwest Washington.
CCA Washington, NSIA, and other organizations are working together as part of a Campaign to Grow Sportfishing, which was formed to unite the voices of the 800,000 recreational anglers across Washington. More on that effort can be found at www.growsportfishing.com