WSR 08-12-004

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Order 08-116 -- Filed May 23, 2008, 1:09 p.m. , effective May 23, 2008, 1:09 p.m. ]


     Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

     Purpose: Amend fishing rules.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-56-25500D; and amending WAC 220-56-255.

     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: There is enough halibut quota remaining to provide for this fishery in Marine Areas

3 and 4. This rule conforms to federal action taken by Pacific Fisheries Management Council. 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     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: May 23, 2008.

Loreva M. Preuss

for Jeff Koenings

Director


NEW SECTION
WAC 220-56-25500E   Halibut -- Seasons -- Daily and possession limits.   (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-56-255, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to fish for or possess halibut taken for personal use, except as provided in this section:

     (a) Catch Record Card Area 1 - Open until further notice, seven days a week.

     (b) Catch Record Card Area 2 - Open until further notice, 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. on Sundays and Tuesdays only, except waters from 47º25.00'N. latitude (Queets River) south to 46º58.00'N latitude and east of 124º30.00'W longitude, open until further notice, 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m., Fridays through Sundays and Tuesdays only.

     (c) Catch Record Card Areas 3 and 4 - Open 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. May 29 and 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. May 31, 2008. The following area southwest of Cape Flattery is closed to fishing for halibut at all times:

     Beginning at 48º18' N., 125º18' W.; thence to

     48º18'N., 124º59'W.; thence to

     48º11'N., 124º59'W.; thence to

     48º11'N., 125º11'W., thence to

     48º04'N., 125º11'W.; thence to

     48º04'N., 124º59'W.; thence to

     48ºN., 124º59'W.; thence to

     48ºN., 125º18'W.; thence to point of origin.

     (d) Catch Record Card Areas 6 through 11 and Catch Record Card Area 13 - Open through June 13, 2008, 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m., Thursdays through Mondays only.

     (e) Catch Record Card Area 5 - Open through July 21, 2008, 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m., Thursdays through Mondays only.

     (f) Daily limit one halibut. The possession limit is two daily limits of halibut in any form, except the possession limit aboard the fishing vessel is one daily limit.

[]


REPEALER

     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 220-56-25500D Halibut -- Seasons -- Daily and possession limits. (08-113)

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office