Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial 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: Federal law prohibits shark finning, but it is not specifically prohibited in state waters. A rule that prohibits the same activity in state waters will protect the shark resource.

     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 December 15, 2005. Expected proposal filing on or after December 16, 2005.

October 28, 2005

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator