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Community => Advocacy, Agencies, Access => Topic started by: bigtex on January 18, 2013, 09:40:06 AM

Title: Seafood Labeling Legislation 4/15 Update
Post by: bigtex on January 18, 2013, 09:40:06 AM: Labeling of seafood isn’t necessarily a recreational issue, but it is a public safety/consumer issue and a big issue for WDFW Enforcement. What it essentially is a piece of seafood is labeled as another, typically for economic gain in the seller. What often occurs is sellers label a low grade piece of seafood as a higher grade. Such as selling chum salmon, but labeling it as sockeye or king salmon. If you think its not common, it is a worldwide issue that is getting bigger. What this bill does is clarifies the law, makes it more effective to enforce, and stiffens penalties.

Mislabeling seafood with a value under $500 would be a misdemeanor. Mislabeling with a value $500-5,000 is a gross mideameanor. Mislabeling with a value over $5,000 is a class c felony.

There are two bills for this legislation. House Bill 1200 sponsored by Reps Blake, Wilcox, Takko, Lytton, Klippert, Van De Wege, Nealey Stanford, and Short. Senate Bill 5037 is the same legislation and is sponsored by Senators Ranker, Shin, and Rolfes

http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?Bill=1200&year=2013 (http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?Bill=1200&year=2013)
http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?bill=5037&year=2013 (http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?bill=5037&year=2013)
Title: Re: Seafood Labeling Legislation
Post by: PolarBear on January 18, 2013, 09:43:56 AM: Good idea!
I like how some try to disguise chum salmon by labeling it "Keta". I know it is just another name but most folks have no idea that it is just old junk dog salmon.
Title: Re: Seafood Labeling Legislation
Post by: bigtex on January 31, 2013, 08:05:51 PM: HB 1200 recently had its hearing. WDFW Police Deputy Chief Mike Cenci provided the WDFW view of the bill. It has a lot of support.

To watch the hearing: http://www.tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwplayer&eventID=2013010133 (http://www.tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwplayer&eventID=2013010133)
Starts at about minute 22
Title: Re: Seafood Labeling Legislation
Post by: dscubame on January 31, 2013, 08:43:22 PM: I figured this push came about due to so many restaurants selling Tilapia fish and chips but calling it and selling it as Halibut fish and chips.
Title: Re: Seafood Labeling Legislation
Post by: Knocker of rocks on January 31, 2013, 08:55:11 PM: Go to the stores in White Center, they sell fish that doesn't even exist
Title: Re: Seafood Labeling Legislation
Post by: bigtex on February 19, 2013, 01:55:18 PM: The House Bill passed with the House with unanimous support and is now in the Senate.
Title: Re: Seafood Labeling Legislation
Post by: bigtex on April 15, 2013, 03:44:34 PM: 4/15 Update

The bill has been passed through the Senate committee it will now go before a full Senate vote then to Governor Inslee.