WSR 23-16-066
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-144—Filed July 27, 2023, 12:08 p.m., effective August 1, 2023]
Effective Date of Rule: August 1, 2023.
Purpose: This emergency rule sets the initial 2023 Puget Sound commercial sea cucumber seasons.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-340-730.
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 sets the initial 2023 Puget Sound commercial sea cucumber seasons. Harvestable surpluses of sea cucumbers exist in the districts specified. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 27, 2023.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-340-73000ISea cucumbers
Effective August 1, 2023, until further notice, or until this rule expires November 24, 2023 pursuant to RCW
34.05.350, the following provisions of WAC 220-340-730 regarding Puget Sound commercial sea cucumber harvest and sales shall be described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-340-730 not addressed herein, and unless otherwise amended, remain in effect:
(1) Sea cucumber harvest using shellfish diver gear is allowed in Sea Cucumber Districts 1, 2-1, and 2-2 Monday through Sunday of each week.
(2) Sea cucumber harvest using shellfish diver gear is allowed in the following catch reporting areas of Sea Cucumber District 5, Monday through Sunday of each week: 28A, 28B, 28C, and 28D.
(3) The maximum cumulative landing of sea cucumbers for each weekly fishery opening period is 1,500 pounds per license.
(4) The maximum cumulative landing of sea cucumbers for August 1 through November 5, 2023 is 9,000 pounds per license from all Puget Sound commercial sea cucumber districts combined.