WSR 24-20-020
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-197—Filed September 20, 2024, 9:19 a.m., effective September 23, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: September 23, 2024.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to reduce the salmon daily limit to one in Catch Record Card Area 7.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-313-060.
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 [reduce] the salmon daily limit in Catch Record Card Area 7. The coho catch to date has greatly exceeded the preseason projected catch for the months of August and September. The daily retention limit is being reduced to allow the fishery to continue without putting attainment of conservation objectives at risk.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 20, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-06000HPuget Sound salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits.
Effective September 23 through September 29, 2024, salmon rules for Catch Record Card Area 7 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:
Catch Record Card Area 7, except waters listed as closed to salmon fishing in WAC 220-313-020 during the effective time period (including Samish Bay, and Southern Rosario Strait and eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca); and except waters of Lummi Bay east of a line from Gooseberry Point to Sandy Point, and waters of Bellingham Bay and Padilla Bays south and east of a line from Sandy Point to the northern most point of Lone Tree Island, easterly to the northeast point of Sinclair Island, then from the southeastern most point on Sinclair Island to Clark Point and true west from Yellow Bluff (southwest corner of Guemes Island) to Yellow Bluff Reef Range Marker to Washington State Department of Transportation ferry terminal dock east of Shannon Point and north of the railroad bridges at Swinomish Slough:
Salmon: Daily limit 1. Release Chinook, chum, and sockeye.