WSR 24-16-012
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-141—Filed July 25, 2024, 12:14 p.m., effective July 26, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: July 26, 2024.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens one day of recreational salmon fishing in Catch Record Card Area 7 with daily limits and release requirements consistent with the list of agreed fisheries (LOAF).
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-313-06000Z; 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: This emergency rule is necessary to open one day of recreational fishing in Catch Record Card Area 7. This rule sets daily limits and release requirements consistent with LOAF.
Catch estimates for the Marine Area 7 summer Chinook fishery indicate that through July 21, 67 percent of the harvest quota (1,465 of 2,181), 32 percent of unmarked encounters (1,228 of 3,845), and 26 percent of sublegal encounters (558 of 2,141) have been reached. Based on daily catch rates, sufficient quota remains to allow for this additional opening of the 2024 summer 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 25, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-06000APuget Sound salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits.
Effective only the day of July 26, 2024, salmon rules for Catch Record Card Area 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:
Catch Record Card Area 7, except waters listed as closed to salmon fishing in WAC 220-313-020 during the effective time period (Bellingham Bay, Samish Bay, and Southern Rosario Strait and eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca); and waters of Lummi Bay east of a line from Gooseberry Point to Sandy Point:
Salmon: Effective July 26, 2024 (one day): Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 Chinook. Release chum, sockeye, wild Chinook, and wild coho.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective immediately:
WAC 220-313-06000Z | Puget Sound salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits. (24-139) |