WSR 15-20-004 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 15-353—Filed September 23, 2015, 3:02 p.m., effective September 30, 2015, 9:00 p.m.] Effective Date of Rule: September 30, 2015, 9:00 p.m.
Purpose: Amend commercial fishing rules for Puget Sound shrimp.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-52-05100K and 220-52-05100L; and amending WAC 220-52-051.
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: The 2015 state/tribal shrimp harvest management plans for the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound require adoption of harvest seasons contained in this emergency rule. This emergency rule (1) closes the trawl fishery in Shrimp Management Area 3 as per the management plan; and (2) closes the remaining pot and trawl fisheries in all areas for the 2015 season on October 16. There is insufficient time to adopt 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 2.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 23, 2015.
Joe Stohr
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-52-05100L Puget Sound shrimp pot and beam trawl fishery—Season.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-52-051, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to fish for shrimp for commercial purposes in Puget Sound except as provided for in this section:
(1) Shrimp pot gear:
(a) All waters of Shrimp Management Areas 2W, 3 and 6 are open to the harvest of all shrimp species, except:
(i) All waters of the Discovery Bay Shrimp District are closed.
(ii) All waters of Shrimp Management Areas 2W, 3 and 6 are closed to the harvest of spot shrimp.
(b) It is unlawful to pull shellfish pots in more than one catch area per day.
(2) Shrimp beam trawl gear: All waters of Catch Area 20A are open.
(3) All shrimp taken under this section must be sold to licensed Washington wholesale fish dealers.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective 9:00 p.m. September 30, 2015:
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective October 16, 2015:
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