PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Recreational crab fishing rules.
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: Puget Sound crab have been overharvested by recreational fishers under the current allocation model. Rules are needed to keep the recreational harvest within the guidelines set by the commission.
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 98504-1091, phone (360) 902-2651. Contact by March 3, 2005. Expected proposal filing on or after March 4, 2005.
January 13, 2005
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator