PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Recreational and commercial coastal and Puget Sound bottomfish limits and seasons, and catch reporting rules for such species.
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 recently passed federal regulations that limit take of certain coastal groundfish species in the EEZ. Complementary state rules are needed for 0-3 miles and in the western Strait of Juan de Fuca. Additional catch reporting rules may be necessary to refine harvest catch data.
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 Lew Atkins, Fish Program Assistant Director, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2651. Contact by February 29, 2000. Expected proposal filing March 1, 2000.
January 5, 2000
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator