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: Certain coastal bottom fish stocks need protection from by-catch in the shrimp trawl fishery. Implementation of fin fish excluder devices will assist in protection of these stocks.
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