H-1655.1
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1309
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By House Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives McEntire, Bernbaum, Griffey, Tharinger, Couture, Walsh, Simmons, Ormsby, Schmick, and Nance)
READ FIRST TIME 02/28/25.
AN ACT Relating to addressing the impacts of burrowing shrimp on bottom culture shellfish farming through integrated pest management research; adding new sections to chapter 15.85 RCW; creating a new section; and providing expiration dates.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that in 2014, shellfish growers were dealt a significant setback when they lost their primary tool for controlling burrowing shrimp infestations in coastal estuaries. Burrowing shrimp in high densities pose a significant threat to shellfish farming operations and the surrounding aquatic ecosystem, causing damage to shellfish growing areas, negatively impacting productivity, and eliminating the growth of native eelgrass which provides essential habitat for salmonids and Dungeness crab, among other species.
(2) In addition, the legislature finds that since 1963, a control method developed in collaboration with the Washington state department of fish and wildlife had been effectively utilized. However, the phased-out use of carbaryl and the denial of a permit to use imidacloprid by the Washington state department of ecology left growers without crucial pest control measures. Burrowing shrimp infestations on shellfish grounds has led to a reduction in growing operations due to the absence of an effective control tool, and despite persistent efforts a viable alternative remains elusive.