PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial fishing rules.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.12.047.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules may be necessary to refine commercial catch reporting in the salmon industry, including retention of commercially caught fish for personal use. These rules will assist in managing the coastal and Puget Sound salmon fisheries. Additionally, there is a need for redefining lawful salmon gear, particularly the bunt size in purse seines. This definition will provide flexibility in gear usage, while providing protection to salmon stocks by disallowing small mesh gear in the body of the net.
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, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2651. Contact by October 19, 2000, expected proposal filing November 1, 2000.
September 5, 2000
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator