Oregon SB736;Do We really Want To Ban Our Commercial Gillnetters From Taking Fish On The Main Lower Columbia And Leave Them To Sport Fishermen?

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Our River Shut Down To Our Commercial Gillnetters And What Is And Has Been Their Life Blood Over Sport Fishermen?

Does This Bill Assure Retraining Of Our Commercial Fleet To Get Priority As Outfitters And Guides To Suppliment Their Loss Of Income?

Think We Best Be Contacting Senator Betsy Johnson On This One With A Big "No" Suggestion On Her Vote?

GRP

Senate Bill 736

Sponsored by Senator BATES, Representatives BAILEY, HUNT, KENNEMER; Senators BONAMICI, GIROD, HASS, KRUSE, MONNES ANDERSON, MONROE, MORSE, OLSEN, Representatives BARKER, DEMBROW, DOHERTY, FREEMAN, GILLIAM, GREENLICK, HARKER, JOHNSON, KOMP, KOTEK, NOLAN

SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's brief statement of the essential features of the measure asintroduced. Prohibits gillnet fishing in lower Columbia River except in off-channel fishery enhancement areas specified by rule of State Fish and Wildlife Commission. Becomes operative January 1, 2012. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to gillnet fishing; creating new provisions; amending ORS 508.775; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon: SECTION 1. ORS 508.775 is amended to read: 508.775. (1) { + (a) + } Notwithstanding any other provision of the commercial fishing laws, it is unlawful for an individual to operate a vessel in the Columbia River gillnet salmon fishery without first obtaining a vessel permit issued pursuant to ORS508.775 to 508.796.

However, an individual who holds valid commercial fishing licenses and vessel permits required by and issued pursuant to the laws of the State of Washington for commercial salmon fishing in the Columbia River may land salmon in this state that were taken in the Columbia River gillnet salmon fishery without the permit otherwise required by this subsection. { + (b) Gillnet fishing under paragraph (a) of this subsection is prohibited in the lower Columbia River, except in off-channel fishery enhancement areas specified by rule of the State Fish and Wildlife Commission.

+ } (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of the commercial fishing laws, it is unlawful for a wholesaler, canner or buyer to buy or receive salmon taken in the Columbia River gillnet fishery from an individual who does not have the permit required by subsection (1) { + (a) + } of this section. (3) The permit required by subsection (1) { + (a) + } of thissection is in addition to and not in lieu of the boat license required by ORS 508.260.

SECTION 2. { + Except as provided in section 3 of this 2011Act, the amendments to ORS 508.775 by section 1 of this 2011 Act become operative on January 1, 2012. + }

SECTION 3. { + The State Fish and Wildlife Commission mayadopt rules before the operative date specified in section 2 ofthis 2011 Act or take any action before that date that isnecessary to implement the amendments to ORS 508.775 by section 1of this 2011 Act on and after the operative date specified insection 2 of this 2011 Act. + }

SECTION 4. { + The amendments to ORS 508.775 by section 1 ofthis 2011 Act apply to vessel permits issued or renewed pursuantto ORS 508.775 to 508.796 for the Columbia River gillnet salmonfishery before, on or after the operative date specified insection 2 of this 2011 Act.+ }

SECTION 5. { + This 2011 Act being necessary for the immediatepreservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergencyis declared to exist, and this 2011 Act takes effect on itspassage. + }