PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Sale and importation of live fin fish for the restaurant market.
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 live fish fishery for the restaurant market targets on plate-size, sub-adult fish, including many species that are currently overutilized, primarily rockfish. Harvest of these species in live market condition requires exploitation of the near shore habitat or other shallower waters, which have been closed to commercial fishing in order to maximize recreational opportunity. Rules may be necessary to regulate the live fish fishery and the importation for the restaurant trade.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
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 Morris Barker, Marine Resources Program Manager, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2826, fax (360) 902-2944.
Contact by November 2, 1999. Proposal filing expected to be November 3, 1999.
June 21, 1999
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator