WSR 24-17-016
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-151—Filed August 8, 2024, 2:15 p.m., effective August 12, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: August 12, 2024.
Purpose: This emergency rule is needed to close recreational salmon fishing seasons and prohibit possession onboard a vessel in Catch Record Card Area 1 beginning August 12, 2024.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-313-07500X.
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 close recreational salmon fishing in Area 1. Catches to date and projections through August 11, 2024, show that the coho quota for this area is likely to be attained by August 11. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: August 8, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-07500YPacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas.
Effective August 12 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: Closed to fishing for salmon. It is unlawful to possess salmon onboard a vessel, including in transit.
(2) Catch Record Card Area 2: Open August 12 through September 15, 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.
(e) Grays Harbor Control Zone is closed. See WAC 220-306-040 for area definition.
(3) Catch Record Card Area 3: Open August 12 through September 15, 2024:
(a) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(b) Release chum and wild coho.
(c) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(d) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(4) Catch Record Card Area 4: Open August 12 through September 15, 2024:
(a) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(b) Release chum and wild coho.
(c) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(d) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(e) No chinook retention allowed in waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective August 12, 2024:
WAC 220-313-07500X | Pacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas. (24-125) |