WSR 23-17-119
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-171—Filed August 18, 2023, 3:41 p.m., effective August 19, 2023]
Effective Date of Rule: August 19, 2023.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to increase the pink salmon portion of the salmon daily limit in Catch Record Card areas 5, 6, and 7.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-313-060.
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 necessary to increase the pink salmon portion of the salmon daily limit in Catch Record Card Areas 5, 6, and 7.
Fishery managers have determined that the current run of Fraser River pink salmon is coming in above forecast, allowing for additional pink salmon retention in these Puget Sound recreational 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 18, 2023.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-06000IPuget Sound salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits.
Effective August 19 through September 30, 2023, salmon rules described in WAC 220 313-060 for Catch Record Card areas 5, 6, and 7 shall be modified as described herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-313-060 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
(1) Catch Record Card Area 5:
Effective August 19 through September 30, 2023: Salmon daily limit 2 plus 2 additional pink salmon. Release Chinook, wild coho, and chum.
(2) Catch Record Card Area 6, except Dungeness Bay (described in WAC 220 313 060(3)):
Effective August 19 through September 30, 2023: Salmon daily limit 2 plus 2 additional pink salmon. Release Chinook, wild coho, and chum.
(3) Catch Record Card Area 7, except Lummi Bay (described in WAC 220-313-060(4), Samish Bay (described in WAC 220-313-020(7)), Southern Rosario Strait/Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (described in WAC 220-313-020(7)), and Bellingham Bay (described in WAC 220-313-020(1)):
(a) Effective August 19 through August 31: Salmon daily limit 2 plus 2 additional pink salmon. Release Chinook, wild coho, and chum.
(b) Effective September 1 through September 30: Salmon daily limit 2 including no more than 1 coho plus 2 additional pink salmon. Release Chinook and chum.