Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial fishing gear 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: Purse seine minimum mesh size differs between Alaska and Washington. Dual-licensed fishers may need additional nets to participate in the Washington fishery. A proposal to reduce the minimum size as part of the North of Falcon rule adoption was contested and commission action is needed if such a change is to be made.

     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 December 31, 2002, expected proposal filing January 2, 2002 [2003].

November 5, 2002

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator

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