WSR 24-09-031
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-54—Filed April 10, 2024, 5:00 p.m., effective April 10, 2024, 5:00 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: This emergency rule is necessary to open additional recreational salmon fishing days in Catch Record Card Area 11.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-313-06000R; and 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: Catch estimates for the Marine Area 11 winter Chinook fishery indicate that through April 7, 2024, anglers have reached 69 percent of the total encounters (818 of 1,191), 67 percent of unmarked encounters (174 of 269), and 43 percent of sublegal encounters (347 of 816). Based on daily catch rates thus far, this allows space for additional days of fishing to be added to the 2024 winter Chinook season. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: April 10, 2024.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-06000SPuget Sound salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits.
Effective immediately, through April 15, 2024, salmon rules for Catch Record Card Areas 10 and 11 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 10, except Agate Pass (waters west of a line from Point Monroe to Indianola and east of a line from Point Bolin to Battle Point), and year-round piers (Seacrest Pier, Waterman Pier, Bremerton Boardwalk, and Illahee State Park Pier):
Salmon: Closed.
(2) Catch Record Card Area 11, except year-round piers (Des Moines Pier, Les Davis Pier, and Point Defiance Boathouse Dock):
(a) Salmon: Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 hatchery Chinook. Release wild Chinook and chum.
(b) Commencement Bay (east of a line from Cliff House Restaurant to Sperry Ocean Dock): Closed to fishing for or retention of salmon.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective immediately:
WAC 220-313-06000R | Puget Sound salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits. (24-47) |