Herring spawn on kelp fishery licenses—Number limited

The legislature finds that the wise management of Washington state's herring resource is of paramount importance to the people of the state. The legislature finds that herring are an important part of the food chain for a number of the state's living marine resources. The legislature finds that both open and closed pond "spawn on kelp" harvesting techniques allow for an economic return to the state while at the same time providing for the proper management of the herring resource. The legislature finds that limitations on the number of herring harvesters tends to improve the management and economic health of the herring industry. The maximum number of herring spawn on kelp fishery licenses shall not exceed five annually. The state therefore must use its authority to regulate the number of herring spawn on kelp fishery licenses so that the management and economic health of the herring fishery may be improved.