WSR 21-18-017
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 21-155—Filed August 20, 2021, 1:58 p.m., effective August 23, 2021]
Effective Date of Rule: August 23, 2021.
Purpose: Closes commercial sea cucumber harvest in sea cucumber management District 5.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-340-73000Y; and amending WAC 220-340-730.
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 closes harvest of sea cucumber in sea cucumber management District 5 because the quota in this area has been reached. This closure is needed to fulfill obligations of state and tribal comanager agreements. Immediate adoption of this rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare. Observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to public interest. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 20, 2021.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-340-73000ZCommercial sea cucumber fishery.
Effective August 23, 2021, until further notice, the following provisions of WAC 220-340-730 regarding Puget Sound commercial sea cucumber harvest and sales shall be described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-340-730 not addressed herein, and unless otherwise amended, remain in effect:
(1) Sea cucumber harvest using shellfish diver gear is allowed in the following catch record areas of Sea Cucumber District 1, Monday through Sunday of each week: 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 22A, 22B.
(2) Sea cucumber harvest using shellfish diver gear is allowed in the following catch record areas of Sea Cucumber District 2, Monday through Sunday 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 1,800 pounds per valid designated sea cucumber harvest license.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective August 23, 2021:
WAC 220-340-73000Y | Commercial sea cucumber fishery. (21-151) |