WSR 17-12-003 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 17-100—Filed May 24, 2017, 12:44 p.m., effective June 1, 2017] Effective Date of Rule: June 1, 2017.
Purpose: Amend recreational Puget Sound shrimp rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-330-070 and 220-330-010.
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: This regulation is needed to ensure an orderly fishery, manage the fishery within court ordered sharing requirements, and ensure conservation. Sufficient amounts of spot shrimp remain available in Marine Areas 6 and 7 West to raise the daily bag limit on a trial basis, and in Marine Area 12 sufficient amounts of spot shrimp remain to allow one more day of fishing. In addition, harvestable amounts of nonspot shrimp are available in several marine areas, and the depth restrictions and area closures are in effect to protect spot shrimp. There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rules.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: May 24, 2017.
James B. Scott, Jr.
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-330-07000B Shrimp—Areas and seasons.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-330-070, effective June 1, 2017, it is unlawful to fish for or possess shrimp taken for personal use in all waters of Marine Areas 4 (east of the east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and the Discovery Bay Shrimp District, except as provided for in this section:
(1) Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5, 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District) and 7 West are open to the harvest of all shrimp species.
(2) All waters equal to or less than 200 feet in depth in Marine Area 7 East are open to the harvest of all shrimp species except spot shrimp. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 150 feet deep.
(3) All waters equal to or less than 150 feet in depth in Marine Areas 8-1, 8-2, 9 and 11 are open to the harvest of all shrimp species except spot shrimp. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 150 feet deep.
(4) All waters equal to or less than 250 feet in depth in Marine Area 13 are open to the harvest of all shrimp species except spot shrimp. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed. It is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 250 feet deep.
(5) Marine Area 12: Open June 3, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m.
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. NEW SECTION
WAC 220-330-01000B Shellfish—Daily limits.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-330-010, effective 12:01 a.m. June 1, 2017, until further notice, in Marine Areas 6 and 7 West it is permissible for any one person to take up to 120 shrimp for personal use in any one day.
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