WSR 24-23-017
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-260—Filed November 8, 2024, 4:06 p.m., effective November 11, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: November 11, 2024.
Purpose: This emergency rule will open a portion of Puget Sound Management and Catch Reporting Area 12C for a purse seine season on November 11, and gillnet seasons on November 12 and 14, 2024.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-354-120 and 220-354-160.
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 a portion of Puget Sound Management and Catch Reporting Area 12C to purse seine and gillnets fisheries beginning the week of Monday, November 11, 2024. To date, Puget Sound commercial chum catch, escapement, and hatcheries suggest sufficient abundance to allow the opening of a portion of 12C. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: November 8, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-354-12000TPuget Sound salmon—Purse seine—Open periods.
Effective 7:00 a.m. November 11 until 5 p.m. November 11, 2024, the following provisions of WAC 220-354-120 regarding commercial Purse Seine open periods in Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Area 12C shall be modified as follows. All other provisions of WAC 220-354-120 not contained herein remain in effect unless otherwise altered by emergency rule:
Area(s) | Open/Closed | Time | Date(s) |
That portion of area 12C north of 47°27'30" | Open | 7 AM - 5 PM | 11/11 |
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-354-16000WPuget Sound salmon—Gillnet—Open periods.
Effective November 12 through November 14, 2024, the following provisions of WAC 220-354-160 regarding commercial Gillnet open periods for Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Area 12C shall be modified as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-354-120 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
Area | Open/Closed | Time | Date(s) | Minimum Mesh size |
That portion of area 12C north of 47°27'30" | Open | 6 AM - 6 PM | 11/12, 11/14 | 6 1/4" |