I-696 Arguments Initiative 696 Arguments For and Against The following arguments were prepared by committees appointed in accordance with state law. The Office of the Secretary of State is not authorized to edit statements, nor is it responsible for their content. I-696 will stop the killing of endangered and threatened salmon, seabirds and sealife by removing commercial fishing nets from Washington waters.
Nets are so deadly efficient that many Washington fishery stocks have been netted to near collapse.
This has led to Endangered Species listings of many fish stocks and seabirds. State and federal leadership have failed to protect our marine resources. The burden now falls on the voters of Washington State. ESA listings and salmon recovery efforts have already cost the taxpayers millions of dollars in 1999. The expenses and liabilities will only grow unless we remove destructive nets from Washington waters.