WSR 23-05-040
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-07—Filed February 9, 2023, 8:04 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The agency is initiating rule making to explore modification of the quick reporting rules to require additional information for Puget Sound commercial and coastal troll salmon fisheries.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Washington department of fish and wildlife (department) staff have the need to be able to track landings to the individual vessel level in a shorter time frame than what the current fish ticket/quick reporting systems allow. Recent ocean troll seasons have included measures like weekly vessel landing limits of as few as 10 fish, and last season's South Puget Sound chum fishery was conducted as a limited participation opportunity with a small subset of five purse seine and 10 gillnet vessels selected to participate each week. Having information included in quick reports that made each landing identifiable to vessel in these fisheries would allow department staff to make in-season catch estimates and projections with more certainty much sooner than the current rules allow, as we would be able to match up landings reported to vessels that were observed participating in each fishery. This change would not require collection of any additional information, but would only require transmission of information already being collected the day after fish are purchased.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kelly Henderson, phone 855-925-2801, project code 2839, TTY 1-800-833-6388 or 711, email quick-reporting@PublicInput.com, website https://publicinput.com/quick-reporting.
Additional comments: Assistance for Additional Accessibility and Persons with Disabilities Contact: Title VI/ADA compliance coordinator, phone 360-902-2349, TTY 1-800-833-6388 or 711, email Title6@dfw.wa.gov.
February 9, 2023
Chris Fredley
Acting Agency Rules Coordinator