Purpose: The purpose of this rule is to close the commercial fishery in Willapa Bay Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Area 2U on September 21, 2021, and to modify the commercial fishing gear for all areas during this week from September 21 - 25, 2021.

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 modify the commercial fishery in Willapa Bay Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Area 2U on September 21, 2021, and Areas 2N, 2M, 2T, and 2U on September 21, 22, 24, and 25, 2021.

For statistical week 38 (September 12 - 18, 2021), the total impacts predicted preseason for natural origin Chinook was 50 fish. The estimated impacts for natural origin Chinook in-season for statistical week 38 was 64 fish. This is 128 percent of the preseason prediction for week 38.

The cumulative total impacts predicted preseason for natural origin Chinook was 136 fish for statistical weeks 34 - 38. The estimated impacts for natural origin Chinook in-season to-date are 188 fish. This is 138 percent of the preseason prediction for the season total.

The impacts of natural origin fall Chinook have been higher than preseason predictions. The purpose of this modification is to reduce the number of natural origin Chinook impacts in the commercial fishery to preserve coho opportunity with the limited remaining Chinook impacts available. Based on preseason predictions and uncertainty around run sizes of Chinook in-season, a modification of the commercial fishery is necessary to help ensure that conservation objectives for Chinook are met. All other rules remain in effect.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Effective immediately, through September 25, 2021, the provisions of WAC 220-354-250 describing commercial gill net open periods and allowable mesh sizes in Willapa Bay shall be as follows. All other provisions of WAC 220-354-250, not contained herein remain in effect unless otherwise altered by emergency rule:

Areas	Date	Closed periods
2U	9/21/2021	Closed

Areas	Time	Date(s)	Maximum Mesh Size
2N, 2M, 2T	7:00 a.m. through 7 p.m.	9/21		4.25"
2N, 2R, 2T, 2U	7:00 a.m. through 7 p.m.	9/22		4.25"
2N, 2M, 2T, 2U	7:00 a.m. through 7 p.m.	9/24		4.25"
2N, 2T	7:00 a.m. through 7 p.m.	9/25		4.25"