WSR 08-05-035

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Order 08-26 -- Filed February 13, 2008, 8:50 a.m. , effective February 15, 2008, 6:00 p.m. ]


     Effective Date of Rule: February 15, 2008, 6:00 p.m.

     Purpose: Amend commercial fishing rules.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-52-046.

     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: This closure complies with state/treaty management agreements for harvest allocation and to reduce fishing mortality in areas that do not meet the hardshell criteria. Bait possession prevention prevents pot rebaiting and further handling of soft shell crab. 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     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 13, 2008.

Phil Anderson

for Jeff Koenings

Director


NEW SECTION
WAC 220-52-04600R   Puget Sound crab fishery -- Seasons and areas.   Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-52-046, effective 7:00 p.m. on February 19, 2008, until further notice, it will be unlawful to fish for Dungeness Crab for commercial purposes in those waters of Marine Fish Shellfish Catch Reporting Areas 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, and 26A-East (Crab Management Region 2 East). Bait may not be aboard the designated crab vessel after 6:00 p.m. February 15, 2008.

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