WSR 24-04-075
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-12—Filed February 2, 2024, 3:05 p.m., effective February 5, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: February 5, 2024.
Purpose: Opens sea cucumber harvest in Districts 1 and 2-2. Clarifies language regarding weekly harvest limits.
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 opens harvest of sea cucumber in Districts 1 and 2-2 on February 5, 2024, with a weekly harvest limit for each area. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: February 2, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-340-73000NSea cucumbers
Effective February 5 through February 29, 2024, the following provisions of WAC 220-340-730 regarding Puget Sound commercial sea cucumber harvest and sales shall be as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-340-730 not addressed herein, and unless otherwise amended, remain in effect:
(a) Sea cucumber harvest using shellfish diver gear is allowed in Sea Cucumber District 1 and District 2-2.
(b) It is unlawful for any harvester to fish for, take, or possess for commercial purposes more than 1,500 pounds of sea cucumber per license for each weekly fishery opening period from District 1.
(c) It is unlawful for any harvester to fish for, take, or possess for commercial purposes more than 300 pounds of sea cucumber per license for each weekly fishery opening period from District 2-2.