WSR 24-18-002
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-161—Filed August 21, 2024, 4:22 p.m., effective August 25, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: August 25, 2024.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close recreational coastal salmon fishing in Catch Record Card Area 2.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-313-07500A; 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 close recreational salmon fishing in Area 2. Coho catch for Area 2 is projected to be near the quota for the area by August 24, and would likely be exceeded if the fishery remained open. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 21, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-07500BPacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas.
Effective August 25 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 on board a vessel, including in transit.
(2) Catch Record Card Area 2: Closed to fishing for salmon. It is unlawful to possess salmon on board a vessel, including in transit.
(3) Catch Record Card Area 3: Closed to fishing for salmon. It is unlawful to possess salmon on board a vessel, including in transit.
(4) Catch Record Card Area 4:
Open August 25 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 the Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective August 25, 2024:
WAC 220-313-07500A | Pacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas. (24-159) |