WSR 22-17-061
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 22-168—Filed August 12, 2022, 3:19 p.m., effective August 13, 2022]
Effective Date of Rule: August 13, 2022.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open commercial reef net seasons in Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 7 and 7A.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-354-180.
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 provide for Pacific Salmon Commission authorized commercial fisheries in Puget Sound Management and Catch Reporting Areas 7 and 7A. These fisheries have been authorized by The Fraser River Panel as part of the Pacific Salmon Treaty. In-season information indicates that there are harvestable sockeye available for United States fisheries. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: August 12, 2022.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-354-18000SReef net open periods.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-354-180, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to take, fish for, or possess salmon taken for commercial purposes in Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas except as provided in this section, provided that unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
Open to reef net gear according to the times, dates and conditions contained herein:
Open Areas | Open Periods |
7 and 7a | 5 AM – 9 PM 8/13 |
(a) It is unlawful to retain unmarked Chinook and chum.
(b) It is unlawful to retain marked Chinook unless the reef net operator is in immediate possession of a Puget Sound Reef Net Logbook. All retained marked Chinook must be recorded in the log book in accordance with requirements of WAC 220-354-180.
(c) It is unlawful to fish for salmon with reef net gear in Areas 7 and 7A unless the vessel operator has attended a "Fish Friendly" best fishing practices workshop and is in immediate possession of a department issued certification card.
(d) "Quick Reporting Fisheries":
All fisheries opened under this section, and any fishery opening under authority of the Fraser Panel for sockeye in Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas (WAC 220-301-030), are designated as "Quick Reporting Required" per WAC 220-352-325 Puget Sound salmon and sturgeon—Additional reporting requirements and WAC 220-354-090 Puget Sound salmon—Quick reporting.