WSR 15-03-090

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed January 21, 2015, 10:06 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amending commercial fishery and fish ticket rules.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Revisions to commercial fishery, and fish and shellfish receiving ticket rules are needed to improve the intent and enforceability of rules that define, describe or authorize delivery of fish or shellfish to shore based facilities or dealers, and processing or freezing of catch onboard vessels at sea.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The National Marine Fisheries [Service] regulates certain commercial fisheries in federal waters. Rule coordination is accomplished through Pacific Fishery Management Council processes, and the Columbia River compact. Also, Washington, Oregon and California coordinate coastal Dungeness crab management through the Tri-State Dungeness Crab Committee which is facilitated under the umbrella of the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. The department will coordinate with these groups as needed.

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 Joanna Eide, Rules Coordinator, WDFW Enforcement, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501, phone (360) 902-2403, fax (360) 902-2155, e-mail Rules.Coordinator@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by February 27, 2015. Expected proposal filing on or after March 6, 2015.

January 21, 2015

Joanna M. Eide

Rules Coordinator