WSR 19-20-019
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-230—Filed September 20, 2019, 4:30 p.m., effective September 23, 2019]
Effective Date of Rule: September 23, 2019.
Purpose: Amend recreation salmon fishing rules for Puget Sound.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-313-03000K; and amending WAC 220-313-060.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.
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 rule is necessary to reduce the daily limit for coho in most areas of Puget Sound. Since early September, state and tribal comanagers have been assessing coho runs throughout Puget Sound waters. Preliminary information indicates that returning coho have a smaller body size and potentially lower-than-expected run sizes to many systems. The Washington department of fish and wildlife is implementing this rule as a precaution to ensure escapement and hatchery goals are met. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 20, 2019.
Nate Pamplin
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-06000LPuget Sound salmonSaltwater seasons and daily limits.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-313-060, effective September 23, 2019:
1. Catch Record Card Area 5, effective immediately through September 30, 2019: No more than 1 hatchery coho may be retained as part of the salmon daily limit.
2. Catch Record Card Area 6, effective immediately through September 30, 2019: No more than 1 hatchery coho may be retained as part of the salmon daily limit.
3. Catch Record Card Area 7, effective immediately through September 30, 2019: No more than 1 coho may be retained as part of the salmon daily limit.
4. Catch Record Card Area 8-1, effective immediately through October 31, 2019:
(a) Release all pink salmon.
(b) No more than 1 coho may be retained as part of the salmon daily limit.
5. Catch Record Card Area 9, effective immediately through September 30, 2019: No more than 1 hatchery coho may be retained as part of the salmon daily limit.
6. Catch Record Card Area 10:
(a) Effective immediately through November 15, 2019: Release all Chinook salmon.
(b) Effective immediately through November 15, 2019: No more than 1 hatchery coho may be retained as part of the salmon daily limit.
7. Catch Record Card Area 11, effective August 26 through September 30, 2019:
(a) Release all Chinook salmon.
(b) It is lawful to fish for salmon from a vessel seven days per week.
(c) No more than 1 hatchery coho may be retained as part of the salmon daily limit.
8. Catch Record Card Area 13, effective immediately until further notice: No more than 1 hatchery coho may be retained as part of the salmon daily limit.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective August 26, 2019:
WAC 220-313-06000K
Puget Sound salmonSaltwater seasons and daily limits. (19-197)