PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Development of an ocean fishery for sardines using trial commercial fishery permits.
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: Harvestable amounts of sardines are limited and issues of by-catch of other species are of concern. Rules will prevent overharvest of sardines, while reducing and documenting the incidence of by-catch.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) is developing a fishery management plan which also provides estimates of the harvestable levels of sardines. This proposed activity will be complimentary to any rules and harvest levels provided to Washington coastal areas through the PFMC process.
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 Phil Anderson, Intergovernmental Policy Group, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2720. Contact by March 24, 2000. Expected proposal filing April 5, 2000.
February 9, 2000
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator