PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Possession rules for recreational fisheries.
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: Certain bottomfish species are in need of additional protection from harvest. Current prohibition of landing does not adequately cover the aspect of possession to provide enforceability - the proposed change will close this enforcement gap.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: National Marine Fisheries Service provides regulation for bottomfish species in the three to two hundred mile offshore area and the regulation we are considering would be complimentary and parallel in state waters.
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 Morris Barker, State Marine Resource Manager, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, by June 16, 2003. The expected filing date is June 18, 2003.
April 15, 2003
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator