WSR 23-16-062
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-145—Filed July 26, 2023, 4:00 p.m., effective July 26, 2023, 4:00 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The purpose of this rule is to close Chinook retention in Catch Record Card Area 2 on Fridays and Saturdays. This rule also prohibits possession of Chinook onboard a vessel on Fridays and Saturdays in Area 2.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-313-07500R; and amending WAC 220-313-075.
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: The purpose of this rule is to modify ocean recreational salmon seasons in Marine Area 2. Marine Area 2 has used more than half of its Chinook catch guideline for the entire season. Closing two days per week to Chinook retention will extend the length of the season and allow fishing to continue as large abundances of coho salmon migrate into the area.
This rule maintains previously established recreational 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 for the Washington department of fish and wildlife to adopt consistent regulations through the permanent rule-making process.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 26, 2023.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-07500SPacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas.
Effective July 28, through October 7, 2023, 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 July 28, through September 30, 2023:
(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.
(2) Catch Record Card Area 2: Open July 28, through September 30, 2023:
(a) Open Sundays through Thursdays;
(1) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook.
(2) Release wild coho.
(3) Chinook minimum length 22 inches.
(4) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(b) Open Fridays and Saturdays;
(1) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(2) Release Chinook and wild coho.
(3) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(4) Possession of Chinook onboard a vessel, including in transit, is unlawful.
(c) July 28, 2023, through September 30, 2023, 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 July 28, through July 31, 2023:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(ii) Release wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(b) Open August 1, through September 30, 2023:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(ii) Release wild coho and chum.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(c) Open October 3, through October 7, 2023, only in the area north of 47°50'00N. lat. and south of 48°00'00"N. lat.:
(i) Daily limit 1 Chinook salmon only.
(ii) Release all salmon except Chinook.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(4) Catch Record Card Area 4:
(a) Open July 28, through July 31, 2023:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(ii) Release wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(v) Waters east of a true north-south line through Sail Rock are closed.
(b) Open August 1, through September 30, 2023:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(ii) Release wild coho and chum.
(iii) Release Chinook in waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.
(iv) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(v) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
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 28, 2023:
WAC 220-313-07500R | Pacific ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas. (23-116) |