WSR 22-16-006
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 22-143—Filed July 21, 2022, 8:32 a.m., effective July 22, 2022]
Effective Date of Rule: July 22, 2022.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close Chinook retention on Fridays and Saturdays in Catch Record Card Area 2.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-07500K; and amending WAC 220-312-075.
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 extend season lengths in Area 2.
Through July 17, 2022, 34 percent of the Marine Area 2 Chinook quota has been taken (4,145 of 12,070). Chinook catches have been larger than expected and these measures are needed to reduce catch of Chinook so that sufficient Chinook guideline remains to keep salmon seasons open seven days per week and to access coho salmon later in the season.
This rule also maintains previously established recreational salmon seasons in Areas 1, 3, and 4.
These rules for in-state waters are consistent with federal salmon fishing regulations adopted by the National Marine Fisheries Service in response to actions taken by the Pacific Fishery Management Council to set salmon fishery harvest specifications and management measures; this action is intended to achieve regulatory consistency in federal and state waters for the ocean recreational salmon fishery, which operates in both areas.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 21, 2022.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-07500LPacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas.
Effective July 22 through October 8, 2022 the provisions of WAC 220-313-075 regarding recreational salmon seasons for Marine Areas 1 through 4 shall be as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-313-075 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended:
(1) Catch Record Card Area 1: Open immediately through September 30, 2022:
(a) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook.
(b) Release wild coho.
(c) Chinook minimum length 22 inches.
(d) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(e) That portion of Area 1 north of 46°15'N and east of 124°08'40"W is closed to fishing for salmon.
(2) Catch Record Card Area 2: Open July 22 through September 30, 2022:
(a) Open Sundays through Thursdays:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook.
(ii) Release wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 22 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(b) Open Fridays and Saturdays:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(ii) Release Chinook and wild coho.
(iii) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(c) Immediately through August 7, 2022 the Grays Harbor Control Zone is open (see WAC 220-306-040) and subject to rules and daily limits in subsections (2)(a) and (2)(b) of this rule.
(3) Catch Record Card Area 3:
(a) Open immediately through July 24, 2022:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(ii) Release Chinook and wild coho.
(iii) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(b) Open July 25 through September 30, 2022:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook
(ii) Release wild coho.
(iii) Release chum beginning August 1.
(iv) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(v) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(c) Open October 5 through October 8, 2022 only in the area north of 47°50'00N. lat. and south of 48°00'00"N. lat.:
(i) Daily limit 2 Chinook salmon only.
(ii) Release all salmon except Chinook.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(4) Catch Record Card Area 4:
(a) Open July 25 through July 31, 2022:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook.
(ii) Release wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(v) Closed in waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.
(b) Open August 1 through September 30, 2022:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook
(ii) Release chum and wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(v) Chinook retention prohibited in waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.
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. REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective July 22, 2022:
WAC 220-313-07500K | Pacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas. (22-138) |