WSR 07-05-004

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Order 07-21 -- Filed February 8, 2007, 2:53 p.m. , effective February 12, 2007 ]


     Effective Date of Rule: February 12, 2007.

     Purpose: Amend commercial fishing rules.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-52-07100E; and amending WAC 220-52-071.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047.

     Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

     Reasons for this Finding: Harvestable amounts of sea cucumbers are available in sea cucumber districts listed. Prohibition of all diving from licensed sea cucumber harvest vessels prior to scheduled sea cucumber openings discourages the practice of fishing on closed days and hiding the unlawful catch underwater until the legal opening. There is insufficient time to promulgate permanent rules.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: February 8, 2007.

J. P. Koenings

Director


NEW SECTION
WAC 220-52-07100F   Sea cucumbers.   Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-52-071, effective February 12, 2007 until further notice, it is unlawful to take or possess sea cucumbers taken for commercial purposes except as provided for in this section:

     (1) Sea cucumber harvest using shellfish diver gear is allowed in Districts 1 and 5 on Monday through Friday of each week.

     (2) Sea cucumber harvest using shellfish diver gear is allowed in Sea Cucumber District 3 on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 only. On February 13, 2007, the maximum daily landing of sea cucumbers from Sea Cucumber District 3 is 800 pounds per valid commercial sea cucumber harvest license.

     (3) It is unlawful to dive for any purpose from a commercially licensed sea cucumber fishing vessel on Saturday and Sunday of each week, except by written permission from the Director.

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REPEALER


     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective February 12, 2007:


WAC 220-52-07100E Sea cucumbers. (07-05)

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