B. A number of elver fyke nets that is greater than the average number, rounded down, of elver fyke nets that person was authorized to use during the past 3 elver fishing seasons for which that person held a license; and

C. A number of Sheldon eel traps that is greater than the average number, rounded down, of traps that person was authorized to use during the past 3 elver fishing seasons for which that person held a license.

However, if the number arrived at using the formula is greater than 2 nets or traps, the maximum number of traps and nets that may be immersed may not exceed 2.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill, which is an emergency, implements the recommendations of the Department of Marine Resources regarding the 2000 elver fishery. It freezes the number of elver fishing licenses and gear at 1999 levels. The bill also raises the fees for elver fishing licenses to $120 for residents and $421 for nonresidents and specifies that all license fees accrue to the Eel and Elver Management Fund.

The bill repeals the provision that authorizes a person to use one net or trap to fish for elvers without paying a gear fee and changes the gear fees to $25 per elver dip net and $75 per elver fyke or Sheldon eel trap. These changes to the elver license and gear fees will increase funding to the Eel and Elver Management Fund to support further research on the eel and elver fishery.