PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial crab 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: A statewide gear standard maximum size will reduce the potential for larger gear offsetting the intent of limitations on the number of pots fished by each fisher.
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 Morris Barker, State Marine Resource Manager, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98504-1091, phone (360) 902-2826. Contact by June 16, 2005. Expected proposal filing on or after June 17, 2005.
May 4, 2005
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator