EMERGENCY RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Date of Adoption: May 25, 2000.
Purpose: Amend personal use fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-56-25500N; and amending WAC 220-56-255.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 75.08.080.
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: The halibut quota is projected to be taken by May 29, 2000, and this regulation is needed to bring state regulations for recreational halibut in conformance to federal regulations. There is insufficient time to promulgate 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Effective Date of Rule: May 29, 2000, 11:59 p.m.
May 25, 2000
Evan Jacoby
for Jeff P. Koenings
Director
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-56-255, effective 11:59 p.m. May 29, 2000 until further notice, it is unlawful to fish for or possess halibut taken for personal use except as provided for in this section:
(1) Marine Area 1: Open immediately until further notice. Minimum size 32 inches in length. The daily limit is the first halibut 32 inches in length or greater brought aboard the vessel.
(2) Marine Area 2:
(a) Waters south of the Queets River, north of 47ºN and east of 124º40'W: Open immediately until further notice.
(b) All other waters in Marine Area 2: Closed until further notice.
(c) The daily bag limit is one halibut with no length restrictions
(3) Marine Areas 3 and 4:
(a) Open immediately until further notice, except closed 12:01 a.m. each Sunday through 11:59 p.m. each Monday and in the closed waters of a rectangle defined by the following four corners: 48º18'N, 125º11'W; 48º18'N, 124º59'W; 48º04'N, 125º11'W; 48º04'N, 124º59'W
(b) The daily bag limit is one halibut with no length restrictions.
(4) Marine Areas 5 through 13:
(a) Open immediately through July 27, 2000, except closed 12:01 a.m. each Tuesday through 11:59 p.m. each Wednesday.
(b) The daily bag limit is one halibut with no length restrictions.
(5) Any halibut landed in a Washington port must meet the regulations in effect for the port of landing, regardless of area of catch. This provision does not apply to halibut lawfully caught in Canadian waters and landed at a port in Washington.
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The following section of the Washington Administrative Code
is repealed effective 11:59 p.m. May 29, 2000:
| WAC 220-56-25500N | Halibut -- Seasons -- Daily limits. (00-65) |