WSR 16-07-041

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 11, 2016, 11:02 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Coastal mackerel purse seine fishery, duties of commercial receivers and processors.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, 77.12.047, 77.65.280.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Washington department of fish and wildlife is considering rule amendments relating to the sale and processing of mackerel from commercial fisheries. The rule amendments will limit the amount of mackerel that can be processed for purposes other than human consumption. This limitation supports maximizing the value of the catch.

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 the Pacific Fishery Management Council.

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 Jacalyn Hursey, Acting Rules Coordinator, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501, phone (360) 902-2861, e-mail Jacalyn.Hursey@dfw.wa.gov. Contact by April 30, 2016. Expected proposal filing on or after May 6, 2016. Updates will be added to the agency's rule-making page at http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/development.html.

March 11, 2016

Jacalyn M. Hursey

Acting Rule[s] Coordinator