WSR 24-18-084
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-168—Filed August 29, 2024, 5:06 p.m., effective September 3, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: September 3, 2024.
Purpose: The purpose of this rule is to close recreational salmon fishing in Area 4 and reopen recreational salmon fishing for one day in Areas 1 and 2. Coho catch for Area 4.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-313-07500B; 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 4 and reopen recreational salmon fishing for one day in Areas 1 and 2. Coho catch for Area 4 is projected to be near the quota for the area by September 2, necessitating closure to avoid exceeding the quota. Sufficient coho quota remains for Areas 1 and 2 to reopen recreational salmon fishing for an additional day. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 29, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-07500CPacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas.
Effective September 3 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:
(a) September 3, 2024: Closed to fishing for salmon
(b) Open September 4, 2024:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon including no more than one Chinook.
(ii) Release wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 22 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(c) September 5, 2024, until further notice: Closed to fishing for salmon.
(2) Catch Record Card Area 2:
(a) September 3, 2024: Closed to fishing for salmon
(b) Open September 4, 2024:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon including no more than one Chinook.
(ii) Release wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 22 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(v) Grays Harbor Control Zone is closed. See WAC 220-306-040 for area definition.
(c) September 5, 2024, until further notice: Closed to fishing for salmon.
(3) Catch Record Card Area 3: Closed to fishing for salmon.
(4) Catch Record Card Area 4: Closed to fishing for salmon.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective September 3, 2024:
WAC 220-313-07500B | Pacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas. (24-161) |