WSR 24-18-024
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-164—Filed August 23, 2024, 1:21 p.m., effective August 26, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: August 26, 2024.
Purpose: This emergency rule closes sea cucumber District 2-2 to prevent overharvest of sea cucumbers.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-340-73000Q; and amending WAC 220-340-730.
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: District 2-2 is projected to reach quota by August 26. This emergency rule closes sea cucumber harvest in District 2-2 to prevent overharvest. Harvestable surpluses of sea cucumbers exist in the districts specified. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 23, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-340-73000RSea cucumbers
Effective August 26, 2024, until further notice, the following provisions of WAC 220-340-730 regarding Puget Sound commercial sea cucumber harvest seasons and landing limits shall be as described herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-340-730 not addressed herein, and unless otherwise amended, remain in effect:
(1) Sea cucumber harvest using shellfish diver gear is allowed in Sea Cucumber Districts 1 and 2-1 Monday through Sunday of each week.
(2) Sea cucumber harvest using shellfish diver gear is allowed in Sea Cucumber District 5 except for all waters in Gig Harbor and adjacent waters within a one nautical mile radius of the Gig Harbor entrance, Monday through Sunday of each week.
(3) It is unlawful for any harvester to fish for, take, or possess for commercial purposes more than 1,500 pounds of sea cucumber per license for each weekly fishery opening period.
(4) The maximum cumulative landing of sea cucumbers from August 5 through November 17, 2024, is 9,300 pounds per valid designated sea cucumber harvest license.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective August 26, 2024:
WAC 220-340-73000Q | Sea cucumbers (24-142) |