Sponsor Statement for CS HB 318 (FSH)

CSHB 318 (FSH) was introduced in response to the Division of Legislative Audit report, dated August 22, 1997, entitled "Department of Commerce and Economic Development, Department of Fish and Game Review of Funding and Operation of Private Nonprofit Hatcheries." The audit suggested that exemptions should be granted to permit the hatchery operator to extract the roe from excessive broodstock and deep water dispose of the carcasses. The roe would then be sold to enable hatcheries to cost recover, providing an economic benefit to the hatcheries.

The intent of this legislation is to prohibit the stripping of salmon roe for cost recovery purposes by hatcheries. The only exception is the selling of roe from broodstock, commonly referred to as excessive broodstock, which has returned in numbers larger than anticipated by the hatchery and the Department of Fish and Game and is not fit for human consumption. The roe of that excessive broodstock may be stripped and sold after the hatchery has obtained a permit from the department for that exclusive purpose while discarding of the carcasses in a manner that does not promote waste.

Last updated 03-19-98

Sponsor Statement for HB 318

House Bill 318 was introduced in response to the Division of Legislative Audit report, dated August 22, 1997, entitled "Department of Commerce and Economic Development, Department of Fish and Game Review of Funding and Operation of Private Nonprofit Hatcheries." The audit suggested that exemptions should be granted to permit the hatchery operator to extract the roe from excessive broodstock and deep water dispose of the carcasses. The roe would then be sold to enable hatcheries to cost recover, providing an economic benefit to the hatcheries.

This legislation would prohibit the stripping of roe by hatcheries for the purpose of selling the roe while discarding the remainder of the fish. This gives a hatchery that conducts this practice a distinct advantage over a commercial fishery since roe is extremely valued in Far East markets. Sale of the commercial catch may be limited with little or no market price despite part of the catch having roe content. This legislation would not affect a hatchery’s ability to collect roe for brood stock.

House Bill 318 eliminates the provisions of current law that have caused much confusion in the past and that have permitted the commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game to allow hatcheries to strip roe.