WSR 19-19-046
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 19-217—Filed September 12, 2019, 3:45 p.m., effective September 12, 2019, 3:45 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Amend commercial sea urchin rules in Puget Sound.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-340-750.
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 opens listed sea urchin districts on September 30 to harvest of green sea urchins only. This emergency rule opens listed sea urchin districts on October 28 to harvest of red sea urchins. This emergency rule is also needed to clarify size restrictions for possessing, delivering, or otherwise controlling green sea urchins and red sea urchins. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 12, 2019.
Kelly Cunningham
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-340-75000PCommercial sea urchin fishery.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-340-750:
(1) Effective immediately, until further notice, it is unlawful for any person to fish for, take, or possess for commercial purposes any green sea urchins less than 2.25 inches; or red sea urchins measuring less than 3.25 inches or greater than 5 inches. All measurements are caliper measurements of the largest shell (test) diameter, exclusive of the spines.
(2) Effective September 30, 2019, until further notice, the following areas are open for green sea urchin harvest only, seven days-per-week: Sea Urchin District 1, District 2, District 3 east of a line projected true north from the shoreline at 123 degrees 48.3 minutes west longitude, District 4 west of a line projected true north from the shoreline at 123 degrees 52.7 minutes west longitude, District 6, and District 7 except all waters of Hale Passage and Wollochet Bay within the following lines: west of a line projected true south from the shoreline near Point Fosdick at 122 degrees 35 minutes west longitude to 47 degrees 14 minutes north latitude, and thence projected true west to the shoreline of Fox Island, and east of a line projected true south from the shoreline near Green Point at 122 degrees 41 minutes west longitude to 47 degrees 16.5 minutes north latitude, and thence projected true east to the shoreline of Fox Island.
(3) Effective September 30, 2019, until further notice, the maximum cumulative landings for green sea urchins for each weekly fishery opening period is 1,000 pounds per valid designated sea urchin harvest license. Each fishery week begins Monday and ends Sunday.
(4) Effective October 28, 2019, until further notice, the following areas are open for red sea urchin harvest seven days-per-week: Sea Urchin District 1, District 2, and District 3 east of a line projected true north from the shoreline at 123 degrees 48.3 minutes west longitude, and District 4 west of a line projected true north from the shoreline at 123 degrees 52.7 minutes west longitude.
(5) Effective October 28, 2019, until further notice, the maximum cumulative landings for red sea urchins for each weekly fishery opening period is 1,500 pounds per valid designated sea urchin harvest license. Each fishery week begins Monday and ends Sunday.