PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Shrimp harvest log book requirements and marine fish-shellfish management and catch reporting areas, Puget Sound.
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: Puget Sound state/tribal management plans have required additional detail in log books and this has been accomplished by emergency order - by instituting this change on a permanent basis the rule will extend for the life of the season and reduce the need for emergency rules. The in-season rules for the commercial shrimp fishery have become very complex with the description of marine fish-shellfish management and catch reporting areas, subareas, districts and crustacean management areas and multi-layered rules for management needs. Redescribing the management areas for Puget Sound shrimp will simplify the language and provide a more readable rule.
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, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, phone (360) 902-2826. Contact by October 18, 2002, expected filing date is October 23, 2002.
August 14, 2002
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator