WSR 20-23-019
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 20-245—Filed November 6, 2020, 3:27 p.m., effective November 6, 2020, 3:27 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Amend Puget Sound commercial squid rules.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-340-770 and 220-340-030.
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 align the commercial squid regulation with provisions of the 2017-2022 Puget Sound Squid Management Plan. The regulation will prohibit the use of drag seine gear within Puget Sound waters and updates the requirements of harvest logs consistent with comanagement plans. There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rules, but updating of related permanent rules is currently in process (WSR 20-22-110).
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: November 6, 2020.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-340-77000CCommercial squid fishery
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-340-770, effective immediately, until further notice, the following applies to Puget Sound as defined in WAC 220-340-010 only:
It is unlawful to fish for squid for commercial purposes with drag seine gear.
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-340-03000GShellfish harvest logs
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-340-030, effective immediately, until further notice, the following applies to Puget Sound as defined in WAC 220-340-010 only:
It is unlawful for vessel operators engaged in commercial harvest of squid, except when taken incidental to any other lawful fishery, to fail to permanently and legibly record in ink the following information before leaving the Marine Fish-Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Area where taken:
The vessel's Washington department of fish and wildlife boat registration number, gear type, catch area, location (nearest landmark, bay, or GPS coordinates), starting and ending time of fishing, total vessel wattage of attracting lights, average depth of harvest, and numbers of other species caught and returned.