[Order 22-45—Filed March 18, 2022, 4:24 p.m., effective April 7, 2022]

Effective Date of Rule: April 7, 2022.

Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open 2022 recreational halibut seasons.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-314-030.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.

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: The National Marine Fisheries Service has adopted final regulations for Pacific halibut fisheries in 2022 including the season dates described here. This emergency rule revises state rules to conform to federal regulations. Halibut catch will continue to be closely monitored by the Washington department of fish and wildlife staff; seasons may close earlier if quotas are achieved.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: March 18, 2022.

WAC 220-314-03000IHalibut—Seasons—Daily and possession limits.

Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-314-040, and 220-314-010, April 7, 2022, until further notice, it is unlawful to fish for or possess halibut taken for personal use, except as provided in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-314-040, and 220-314-010, including Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Areas (YRCA), not addressed herein, remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:

(1) Catch Record Card Area 1 All Depth Fishery, including Southern Near Shore Fishery area:

Open May 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, and 26; June 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, and 30, 2022.

(2) Catch Record Card Area 1 Southern Near Shore Fishery; Those waters shoreward from 46°38.17'N. lat., 124°15.88'W. long., to the WA/OR border at 46°16.00'N. lat., 24°15.88'W. long. (then connecting to the 40 fathom depth contour in Oregon):

Open May 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, and 31; June 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29, 2022.

(3) Catch Record Card Area 2 All Depth Fishery, including Northern Near Shore Fishery area:

Open May 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, and 26; June 16, 19, 23, and 26, 2022.

(4) Card Record Areas 3 and 4:

Open May 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 27, and 29, June 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, and 30.

(5) Catch Record Card Area 5:

Open May 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 27, 28, and 29, June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, and 30.

(6) Catch Record Card Area 6 through 10:

Open April 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30; May 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 14, 19, 20, 21, 27, 28, and 29; June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, and 30, 2022.

(7) Catch Record Card Areas 11, 12 and 13: Closed.

Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.