WSR 22-21-040
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 22-233—Filed October 10, 2022, 8:26 a.m., effective October 15, 2022]
Effective Date of Rule: October 15, 2022.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open commercial crab seasons in Puget Sound.
WAC 220-340-45500M: (1) Opens Puget Sound commercial crab harvest in Crab Management Regions 1, 2 East, 2 West, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, and 3-4 at 8:00 a.m. on October 15, 2022. (2) Closes Port Angeles Harbor to commercial crab harvest due to public health decrees.
WAC 220-340-47000K: Sets reduced pot limits by area for Puget Sound commercial crab harvest effective [for] the dates listed in amended WAC 220-340-455.
WAC 220-352-34000W: Requires compliance with quick reporting requirements in the event that a fish receiving ticket is not submitted or received by the department using an electronic fish ticket application.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-340-455, 220-340-470, and 220-352-340.
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: There is sufficient allocation available in Regions 1, 2-West, 2-East, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, and 3-4 to accommodate this opening. These provisions are in conformity with agreed management plans with applicable tribes. These management plans are entered into as required by court order. The Puget Sound commercial season is structured to meet harvest allocation objectives negotiated with applicable treaty tribes and outlined in the management plans. There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rules. Further adjustment of season structure may be made pending updated harvest data.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 3, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 7, 2022.
Nate Pamplin
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-340-45500MCommercial crab fishery—Seasons and areas—Puget Sound.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-340-455:
Commercial harvest of Dungeness crab in Puget Sound is permitted during the "Open period" indicated in the following table. On the season opening date harvest will be permitted starting at 8:00 a.m. Harvest on all other days is permitted starting one hour before official sunrise until further notice. Any closures will take effect one hour after official sunset unless otherwise indicated.
Geographical Management Unit (WAC 220-320-110) | Open Period |
Region 1, MFSF Catch Areas 21A, 21B, and 22B | October 15, 2022, until further notice |
Region 1, Marine Fish-Shellfish Catch Areas 22A, 20A, and 20B | October 15, 2022, until further notice |
Region 2E, excluding Everett Flats CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(3)) | October 15, 2022, through February 1, 2023 |
Region 2E, Everett Flats CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(3)) | October 15, 2022, through December 31, 2022 |
Region 2W, not including Port Townsend Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(5)) | October 15, 2022, through February 15, 2023 |
Region 2W, Port Townsend Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(5)) | October 15, 2022, through February 15, 2023 |
Subregion 3-1 | October 15, 2022, until further notice |
Subregion 3-2, not including Discovery Bay CSMA (WAC 220-230-120 (1)(a)), Sequim Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(6)), or the Port Angeles Harbor CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(4)). | October 15, 2022, until further notice |
Subregion 3-2, Discovery Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120 (1)(a)) | October 15, 2022, until further notice |
Subregion 3-2, Sequim Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(6)) | October 15, 2022, until further notice |
Subregion 3-2, the Port Angeles Harbor CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(4)). | Closed, due to on-going public health concerns. |
Subregion 3-3 | October 15, 2022, until further notice |
Subregion 3-4 | October 15, 2022, until further notice |
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-340-47000KCommercial crab fishery—Gear limits—Puget Sound and Marine Fish-Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Areas
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-340-470:
Effective during the "Open period" listed in WAC 220-340-45500M above, it is unlawful for any person to harvest crabs with more than the "Pot limit" per license per buoy tag number indicated within each "geographical management unit".
Geographical Management Unit (WAC 220-320-110) | Pot limit |
Region 1, MFSF Catch Areas 21A, 21B, and 22B | 30 |
Region 1, Marine Fish-Shellfish Catch Areas 22A, 20A, and 20B | 30 |
Region 2E, excluding Everett Flats CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(3)) | 30 |
Region 2E, Everett Flats CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(3)) | 30 |
Region 2W, not including Port Townsend Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(5)) | 30 |
Region 2W, Port Townsend Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(5)) | 20 |
Subregion 3-1 | 30 |
Subregion 3-2, not including Discovery Bay CSMA (WAC 220-230-120 (1)(a)), Sequim Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(6)), or the Port Angeles Harbor CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(4)). | 30 |
Subregion 3-2, Discovery Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120 (1)(a)) | 20 |
Subregion 3-2, Sequim Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(6)) | 20 |
Subregion 3-2, the Port Angeles Harbor CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(4)). | 0 |
Subregion 3-3 | 30 |
Subregion 3-4 | 30 |
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-352-34000WPuget Sound crab—Additional reporting requirements.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-352-340:
Original receivers are required to submit Quick Reports unless they have submitted, and the department has received, a fish ticket from an electronic fish ticket reporting application within 24 hours of a landing.