WSR 16-17-070 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 16-210—Filed August 16, 2016, 2:03 p.m., effective August 22, 2016] Effective Date of Rule: August 22, 2016.
Purpose: Amend commercial sea cucumber fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-52-07100R; and amending WAC 220-52-071.
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 emergency rule is needed to close sea cucumber harvest in Districts 2E and 5 because we are approaching quota limits. Harvestable surpluses of sea cucumbers exist in the districts specified to allow for commercial harvest. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: August 16, 2016.
James B. Scott Jr.
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-52-07100S Sea cucumbers
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-52-071, effective August 22, 2016, it is unlawful to take or possess sea cucumbers taken for commercial purposes except in the marine fish-shellfish catch reporting areas provided for in this section:
(1) Sea cucumber harvest using shellfish diver gear is allowed in the following areas of Sea Cucumber District 1 Monday through Friday of each week: 20A and B, 21A and B, and 22A and B.
(2) Sea cucumber harvest using shellfish diver gear is allowed in the following areas of Sea Cucumber District 2 Monday through Friday of each week: 29, 23A, 23D, and 23C east of a line projected true north from the shoreline at 123 degrees 48.3 minutes west longitude, and west of a line projected true north from the shoreline at 123 degrees 52.7 minutes west longitude.
(3) The maximum cumulative landing of sea cucumbers for each weekly fishery opening period is 2,500 pounds per valid designated sea cucumber harvest license. It is permissible for all or any fraction of the maximum 2,500 pound total to be harvested during any legal harvest date within any legal harvest area so long as the cumulative total for the fishery week does not exceed the maximum.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective August 22, 2016:
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