WSR 24-23-059
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 24-267—Filed November 15, 2024, 3:34 p.m., effective November 18, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: November 18, 2024.
Purpose: This emergency rule will close purse seine and gillnet seasons in Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 12 and 12B for the year.
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 necessary to close the preseason week 47 planned schedule of the commercial purse seine and gillnet openings targeting chum salmon in Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 12 and 12B. Catch rates, abundance, and quality of fish available in Marine Areas 12 and 12B have all declined and the number of buyers available has decreased. Cancelling these fisheries will help ensure that late returning chum are available for broodstock, with limited economic impact. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 15, 2024.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-354-12000VPuget Sound salmon—Purse seine—Open periods.
Effective November 19, 2024, the following provisions of WAC 220-354-120 regarding commercial Purse Seine open periods in Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 12 and 12B 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) |
12, 12B | Closed | NA | 11/19 |
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-354-16000XPuget Sound salmon—Gillnet—Open periods.
Effective November 18 through November 20, 2024, the following provisions of WAC 220-354-160 regarding commercial Gillnet open periods for Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 12 and 12B shall be modified as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-354-160 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
Area | Open/Closed | Time | Date(s) | Minimum Mesh size |
12, 12B | Closed | NA | 11/18, 11/20 | NA |