WSR 24-13-050
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-97—Filed June 12, 2024, 4:54 p.m., effective July 1, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: July 1, 2024.
Purpose: Opens summer recreational crab seasons in Puget Sound.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-330-040.
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 recreational crab harvest in Marine Areas 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, and 12 north of Ayock Point on the dates listed. This rule is necessary to achieve comanager harvest sharing objectives defined by the federal court order. Marine Area 12 south of a line projected due east from Ayock Point and Marine Area 13 will be closed. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 12, 2024.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-330-04000NCrab—Areas and seasons—Personal use.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-330-040, effective July 1 through September 30, 2024, it is unlawful to fish for crab for personal use in Puget Sound in all waters of Marine Areas, 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, except as provided herein:
(1) Marine areas 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, 5, 6, 8-1, 8-2, and 9: Effective July 1 through September 2, 2024, it is permissible to fish for crab for personal use on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
(2) Those waters of Marine Area 7 south and west of a line projected from Village Point, Lummi Island, through the navigation buoy just east of Matia Island, thence to the buoy at Clements Reef, thence to the easternmost point of Patos Island, thence running along the northern shore of Patos Island to the westernmost point of Patos Island, thence true west to the international boundary and south of a line that extends from Point Francis on Portage Island, through the marker just north of Inati Bay on Lummi Island to Lummi Island: Effective July 18, through September 30, 2024, it is permissible to fish for crab for personal use on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
(3) Those waters of Marine Area 7 north and east of a line projected from Village Point, Lummi Island through the navigation buoy just east of Matia Island thence to the buoy at Clements Reef thence to the easternmost point of Patos Island, running along the northern shoreline of Patos Island and from the westernmost point of Patos Island true west to the international boundary and north of a line that extends from Point Francis on Portage Island, through the marker just north of Inati Bay on Lummi Island to Lummi Island: Effective August 15 through September 30, 2024, it is permissible to fish for crab for personal use on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
(4) Marine Area 10: Effective July 1 through August 26, 2024, it is permissible to fish for crab for personal use on Sundays, and Mondays.
(5) Marine Area 11: Effective July 1 through August 26, 2024, it is permissible to fish for crab for personal use on Sundays, and Mondays.
(6) The portion of Marine Area 12 north of a line projected due east from Ayock Point: Effective July 1 through September 2, 2024, it is permissible to fish for crab for personal use on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
(7) The portion of Marine Area 12 south of a line projected due east from Ayock Point: Closed until further notice.
(8) Marine Area 13: Closed until further notice.