WSR 98-06-065

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Filed March 2, 1998, 1:22 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial fishing rules.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 75.08.080.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Pacific Fisheries Management Council has recommended a reduction in lingcod size for conservation. Certain marine protected areas were created to exclude sport fishing and concurrent commercial closures are needed to protect marine life. The Neah Bay catch area is being managed concurrently with Puget Sound and a log book requirement needs to be established for consistency. Additional operators in the Puget Sound shrimp fishery has frustrated efforts to ensure license owner participation; fishers have requested a change to license owner-only with a medical exception.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Marine protected area classification requires coordination with the Department of Natural Resources, which has been consulted in establishing these areas.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Bruce Crawford, Fish Program Assistant Director, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, (360) 902-2325. Contact by April 21, 1998. Expected proposal filing date April 22, 1998.

March 1, 1998

Evan Jacoby