Following up on his legislation to strengthen the Derelict Vessel Removal Program, Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon has introduced a bill to go after derelict fishing nets.
Right now a state program asks commercial fishing boats to report fishing nets lost in the water. Since 2003, though, only two nets were reported, and one of those nets picked up by the Northwest Straits Initiative had done considerable damage. Lost in Port Susan Bay, bordered by Camano Island, the group estimated in the 23 weeks it was left in the bay, it killed 1,800 birds, 450 salmon, 11 harbor seals and 16,900 crabs.
Fitzgibbon on the problem:
Commercial fishing is a significant part of our state’s past and future, as is our clean and healthy environment. In the best interest of all parties, we need to reduce the number of nets out there killing fish and wildlife that no one will ever see on their kitchen table.
You can read Fitzgibbon's release on House Bill 1717, and much more at the Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Project.
(Image from www.derelictgear.org)
