[Order 22-128—Filed July 1, 2022, 1:01 p.m., effective July 1, 2022, 1:01 p.m.]

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.

Purpose: Amends recreational shrimp rules in Puget Sound.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-330-07000M; and amending WAC 220-330-070.

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: This regulation is needed to ensure an orderly fishery, manage the fishery within court-ordered sharing requirements, and ensure conservation. Harvestable amounts of spot shrimp are available, but recreational shares will only support a limited number of days in the marine areas listed in this section. In addition, this emergency regulation opens the Marine Area 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5, 6, and 7 West seasons one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset, which is the default daily start time and end time for those areas. This regulation opens the recreational nonspot shrimp fisheries on the dates listed for Marine Areas 8-1, 8-2, and 7 East and maintains the recreational nonspot shrimp fishery already open in Marine Areas 9, 11, and 13. The nonspot shrimp fisheries have maximum depth restrictions specific to each area to limit capture and handling of spot shrimp. Spot shrimp must be immediately released unharmed during nonspot shrimp seasons. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 1, 2022.

WAC 220-330-07000NShrimp—Areas and seasons.

Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-330-070, effective immediately it is unlawful to fish for or possess shrimp taken for personal use in all waters of Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and the Discovery Bay Shrimp District, except as provided for in this section:

(1) Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line) and 5: Open each day, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset, until further notice for all shrimp species.

(2) Marine Area 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District): Open from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset on July 7 through 9, and July 21 through 23 for all shrimp species.

(3) Marine Area 7 West: Open from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset on July 7 through 9 for all shrimp species.

(4) Marine Area 7 South: Open from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset on July 7 through July 9 for all shrimp species.

(5) Marine Areas 7 East: Open July 2 through October 15 for shrimp species other than spot shrimp with a 200-foot maximum fishing depth restriction. During this time it is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 200 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.

(6) Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2: Open July 2 through October 15 for shrimp species other than spot shrimp with a 175-foot maximum fishing depth restriction. During this time it is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 175 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.

(7) Marine Area 9: Open through October 15 for shrimp species other than spot shrimp with a 150-foot maximum fishing depth restriction. During this time it is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 150 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.

(8) Marine Area 11: Open through October 15 for shrimp species other than spot shrimp with a 150-foot maximum fishing depth restriction. During this time it is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 150 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.

(9) Marine Area 12: Open July 6 from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. for all shrimp species.

(10) Marine Area 13: Open through October 15 for shrimp species other than spot shrimp with a 200-foot maximum fishing depth restriction. During this time it is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 200 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.

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

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:

Shrimp—Areas and seasons. (22-106)