[Order 24-145—Filed July 31, 2024, 4:02 p.m., effective August 4, 2024]

Effective Date of Rule: August 4, 2024.

Purpose: This emergency rule opens one day of recreational salmon fishing in Catch Record Card Area 7, Area 9, and Area 10.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-313-060.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.

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 Areas 7, 9, and 10.

Catch estimates for the Marine Area 7 summer Chinook fishery indicate that through July 28, 86 percent of the harvest quota (1,885 of 2,181), 36 percent of unmarked encounters (1,370 of 3,845) and 37 percent of sublegal encounters (783 of 2,141) have been reached.

Catch estimates for the Marine Area 9 summer Chinook fishery indicate that through July 20, 78 percent of the harvest quota (3,049 of 3,900) has been reached.

Catch estimates for the Marine Area 10 summer Chinook fishery indicate that through July 28, 65 percent (2,070 of 3,166) of the harvest quota, and 61 percent of sublegal encounters (3,920 of 6,477) have been reached.

Based on daily catch rates, sufficient quota remains to allow for this additional opening of the 2024 summer Chinook season in Areas 7, 9, and 10.

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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 31, 2024.

WAC 220-313-06000CPuget Sound salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits.

Effective only the day of August 4, 2024, salmon rules for Catch Record Card Area 7, Area 9, and Area 10 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 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 August 4, 2024 (one day): Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 Chinook. Release chum, sockeye, wild Chinook, and wild coho.

(2) Catch Record Card Area 9, except waters of Area 9 south of a line from Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point:

Salmon: Effective August 4, 2024 (one day): Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 Chinook. Release chum, sockeye, wild Chinook, and wild coho.

(3) Catch Record Card Area 10, except waters of Shilshole Bay southeast of a line from Meadow Point to West Point; waters of Elliot Bay east of a line from West Point to Alki Point up to a line from Duwamish Head to Pier 91; waters of Sinclair Inlet and Port Orchard south of the Manette Bridge in Bremerton, south of a line true west from Battle Point, and west of a line drawn true south from Point White; and year-round piers (Bremerton Boardwalk, Illahee State Park, Seacrest Pier, and Waterman Pier):

Salmon: Effective August 4, 2024 (one day): Daily limit 2 including no more than 1 Chinook. Release chum, sockeye, and wild Chinook.