Committee hears bill to allow shrimp‑trawl licenses to convert to pot licenses; agency backs transition but flags mandatory conversion amendment

The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard testimony March 19 on Substitute Senate Bill 5076, which would create a limited‑entry Puget Sound non‑spot shrimp pot commercial fishing license and provide a mechanism for shrimp trawl license holders to convert their quota to pot gear.

Rebecca Lewis, committee staff, said existing Puget Sound shrimp commercial licenses are limited entry and that SB 5076 defines “non‑spot shrimp” consistent with current WDFW rule, establishes the new license and aligns fees with current shrimp license fees. The bill limits combined numbers of pot and converted licenses and provides that when a trawl license is converted the original trawl license is retired.

Sen. Ron Mazzal (Tenth District), sponsor, described trawling as an effective but bottom‑impacting gear type that can generate high bycatch and said pot fishing is a more selective approach that allows bycatch to be returned alive. He said the bill would not change quota levels but would convert quota associated with a trawl license into pot fishery quota if conversion occurs.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Puget Sound Shellfish Manager, Aaron Dufault, said the agency “continues to be supportive of this bill” and noted it implements a Fish and Wildlife Commission directive to allow voluntary conversion from trawl to pot gear. Dufault cautioned, however, that a proposed amendment requiring automatic conversion of a trawl license on sale, transfer or death shifts the bill away from the voluntary program developed by stakeholders and is “likely to negatively impact the current trawl license holders.”

Several commercial fishers testified in favor, including Joe Verdes of Anacortes, who said he holds a trawl permit but intends to fish with pots and described pot fishing benefits such as selectivity and market quality. Other industry speakers raised concerns about market impacts if converted quota were to enter the same live market that currently serves non‑spot pot fishermen; Brian Allison said conversion would increase competition in a “tight” live market and called for more economic research before mandatory conversions.

Committee staff noted a fiscal note and that further rulemaking would be required if the bill passes. No formal committee vote occurred at the March 19 hearing.