WSR 24-15-037
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-125—Filed July 11, 2024, 10:42 a.m., effective July 13, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: July 13, 2024.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to adjust the Chinook portion of the daily limit in Areas 3 and 4 to allow up to two Chinook to be retained daily.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-313-07500W; and amending WAC 220-313-075.
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: The purpose of this rule is to allow retention of up to two Chinook in Areas 3 and 4. Sufficient Chinook guideline remains in these areas to expand Chinook retention without risking early fishery closure. These rules are adopted at the recommendation of the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, in accordance with preseason fishing plans, and have been adopted for federal waters by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 10, 2024.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-07500XPacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas.
Effective July 13 through September 30, 2024, the provisions of WAC 220-313-075 regarding recreational salmon seasons for Marine Areas 1 through 4 shall be as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-313-075 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended:
(1) Catch Record Card Area 1: Open July 13 through September 30, 2024:
(a) Daily limit of 2 salmon including no more than one Chinook.
(b) Release wild coho.
(c) Chinook minimum length 22 inches.
(d) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(2) Catch Record Card Area 2:
(a) Closed July 13. It is unlawful to possess salmon onboard a vessel, including in transit.
(b) Open July 14 through August 11, 2024:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon including no more than one Chinook.
(ii) Release wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 22 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(v) Grays Harbor Control Zone is open. See WAC 220-306-040 for area definition.
(c) Open August 12 through September 15, 2024:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon including no more than one Chinook.
(ii) Release wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 22 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(v) Grays Harbor Control Zone is closed. See WAC 220-306-040 for area definition.
(3) Catch Record Card Area 3:
(a) Open July 13 through July 31, 2024
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(ii) Release wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(b) Open August 1 through September 15, 2024
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(ii) Release chum and wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(4) Catch Record Card Area 4:
(a) Open July 13 through July 31, 2024:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(ii) Release wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(v) Waters east of a true north-south line through Sail Rock are closed.
(b) Open August 1 through September 15, 2024:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(ii) Release chum and wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(v) No chinook retention allowed in waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective July 13, 2024:
WAC 220-313-07500W | Pacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas. (24-96) |