PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial shellfish pot gear.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.12.047 and 77.04.020.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Some individuals within the commercial crab industry have been employing biodegradable escape mechanism techniques that are not consistent with this rule's intent. As a result, crab escapes are impeded when crab pots become lost. This rule change will promote catch escapes when pots are lost.
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 Lori Preuss, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Program, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2930, e-mail Lori.preuss@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by December 15, 2010. Expected proposal filing on or after December 22, 2010.
October 20, 2010
Lori Preuss
Rules Coordinator