WSR 01-07-067

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Filed March 19, 2001, 4:04 p.m. ]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial fishing rules.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.12.047.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is concerned over the use of large mesh gill nets to take swordfish, and the by-catch impacts on thresher shark. The department will consider rules to protect thresher shark.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Phil Anderson, Intergovernmental Program, Special Assistance Director, 600 Capitol Way, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2720. Contact by June 19, 2001, expected proposal filing June 20, 2001.

March 19, 2001

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator

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