Washington v. Washington State Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel Association
1979 U.S. Supreme Court case on indigenous fishing rights in Washington State / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Washington v. Washington State Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel Association, 443 U.S. 658 (1979), was a United States Supreme Court case related to Indian fishing rights in Washington State. It held that the usual and accustomed clause of the Stevens Treaties protected Indians' share of anadromous fish in addition to protecting fishing grounds. To do this, runs of anadromous fish that travel through tribal fishing areas should be divided equally between treaty-protected and non-treaty parties. After that, the treaty-protected parties cut should be lowered if they can be satisfied with a smaller amount. The court also held that its decision superseded state law, and that Washington's Game and Fisheries Department may be required to make laws upholding the ruling.[1]
Washington v. Washington State Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel Ass'n | |
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Argued February 28, 1979 Decided July 2, 1979 | |
Full case name | Washington v. Washington State Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel Ass'n |
Citations | 443 U.S. 658 (more) |
Argument | Oral argument |
Holding | |
The usual and accustomed grounds clause provides Indian fishers with a certain share of the anadromous fish in a run. The Fish and Game Departments could also be required to make rules protecting this right due to the Supremacy Clause. | |
Court membership | |
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Case opinions | |
Majority | Stevens, joined by Blackmun, Brennan, Burger, Marshall, White |
Dissent | Powell, joined by Stewart, Rehnquist |
The decision was 6–3 in favor of Washington. John Paul Stevens wrote the majority opinion.[2]
Philip Lacovara defended the Non-Indian Fishermen Association in the case.[2]