WSR 24-21-086
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-238—Filed October 16, 2024, 4:04 p.m., effective October 17, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: October 17, 2024.
Purpose: This emergency rule will open commercial gillnet seasons in Willapa Bay commercial salmon areas 2T and 2M.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-354-250.
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 needed to open the commercial fishery in Willapa Bay Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 2T on October 17, 2024, and 2M on October 18, 2024. There appears to be a larger than expected run of chum returning to Willapa Bay based on recent landings. Currently, the commercial fishery has harvested 9,286 chum, or 29.1 percent of the predicted seasons total. The catch of natural origin coho is 3,015 to date, or 33.7 percent of predicted season total, and based on the coho in-season update model, the natural origin coho escapement is expected to be larger than preseason expectations.
The commercial fishery in these additional areas will target the abundant chum available in the harbor.
Managers will continue to assess the fishery each opener and make any changes if warranted. All other rules remain in effect.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 16, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-354-25000KWillapa Bay salmon fall fishery.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-354-250, the following seasons for Willapa Bay commercial salmon areas 2T on October 17 and 2M on October 18, 2024, shall be modified as described herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-354-250, not contained herein remain in effect unless otherwise altered by emergency rule:
Gillnet gear may be used to fish for coho salmon, chum salmon, and adipose clipped Chinook salmon marked with a clipped adipose fin with a healed scar, during dates and times and in areas listed in the table below:
Area | Time | Date | Maximum Mesh Size |
2T | 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. | October 17, 2024 | 6.5" |
2M | 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. | October 18, 2024 | 6.5" |