WHEREAS, the growing Washington-based high-seas fishing fleet produces annual landings of fisheries resources exceeding in value 100 million dollars; and
WHEREAS, such fishery activity contributes significantly to the maritime economy of the state of Washington; and
WHEREAS, the management of fisheries resources harvested by the high-seas fleet is largely under the jurisdiction of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council; and
WHEREAS, the state of Washington is represented on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council by the Washington Department of Fisheries; and
WHEREAS, effective representation of the Council requires the communication, commitment and cooperation of both the state of Washington and those fisheries resource user groups impacted most by the undertakings and decisions of the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dixy Lee Ray, Governor of the state of Washington, by virtue of the power vested in me do hereby direct as follows:
1. There is hereby created a Distant Waters Fisheries Advisory Committee which shall serve for the purpose of advising the Washington Department of Fisheries and the Office of the Governor on developments within the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and state or national legislation impacting Washington-based high-seas fishing fleets.
2. The Committee shall file a monthly written report of its activities with the Department of Fisheries.
3. The Committee shall meet with the Department of Fisheries at least twice each year or additionally at the request of the Director of Fisheries.
4. The Committee shall be constituted of seven members who are either high-seas fleet fishermen or representatives of appropriate fishermen groups as approved by the Director of Fisheries. Members shall be appointed to and serve such terms as may be determined by and at the discretion of the Governor.