PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Rules regulating commercial fishing for herring.
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 current rules regarding the reporting of herring catches are inadequate and need revision. Recent investigations have indicated that the current rules do not provide accurate accounting of the herring catch. Changes in the rules will be proposed which would strengthen reporting requirements for herring fisheries in Washington waters.
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 Lew Atkins, Fish Program Assistant Director, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091. Contact by June 17, 2004. Expected proposal filing June 18, 2004.
May 3, 2004
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator