WDFW has requested the legislature approve several measures regarding fish and wildlife law enforcement during the 2014 legislative session which begins in January. Those changes include:
• Instituting a civil fine of $2,000 for taking a white sturgeon over 65 inches in length
• Instituting a civil fine of $2,000 for taking a green sturgeon
• Instituting a civil fine of $500 for possessing a wild salmon or wild steelhead that is protected under the Endangered Species Act
The civil fines are enacted under the same laws for killing big game. A court CANNOT reduce the above fines.
• All law enforcement officers (outside of WDFW) can enforce fish and wildlife laws and individuals are required to produce for inspection gear, licenses, and game/fish. Currently under law it is a crime to not produce those items for WDFW Officers, but not “ex officio fish and wildlife officers” (big term for non-WDFW Officers enforcing fish and wildlife laws). This law changes that and closes that loophole.
• Institutes a fine of $500 plus statutory assessments for being too close to an Orca Whale. Current fine is $42 plus statutory assessments which bring the total fine to $87. This is the same for ALL natural resource infractions.
• Those familiar with federal wildlife laws may know the “Lacey Act” which has several provisions including the prohibition of transporting/possessing fish, wildlife, plants, etc that was taken unlawfully and bringing it across state or international lines. In some areas it also includes bringing it across some federal land areas, even inside the state. WDFW is asking the legislature to create a state gross misdemeanor which would create a state offense of unlawful possession of fish, shellfish, or wildlife taken or possessed in violation of another state’s or country’s laws or regulations.
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