WSR 14-03-052 EMERGENCY RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 14-08—Filed January 10, 2014, 5:17 p.m., effective January 10, 2014, 5:17 p.m.] Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Amend commercial fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-52-04000E; and amending WAC 220-52-040.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, and 77.12.047.
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 period allowing vessels not designated on a Dungeness crab coastal fishery license to transport or deploy up to two hundred fifty pots is extended to provide for a safe and orderly fishery in light of extreme ocean conditions during the preseason gear setting period. There is insufficient time to adopt 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: January 10, 2014.
Philip Anderson
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-52-04000F Commercial crab fishery. Lawful and unlawful gear, methods and other unlawful acts.
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-52-040, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful for any fisher or wholesale dealer or buyer to land or purchase Dungeness crab taken from Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, the Columbia River, or Washington coastal or adjacent waters of the Pacific Ocean through February 19, 2014, from any vessel unless:
(a) A valid Washington crab vessel inspection certificate has been issued to the delivering vessel.
(b) Vessel hold inspection certificates dated from December 15, 2013 to January 13, 2014 are only valid for the area south of 46°28.00.
(c) The vessel inspection certificate numbers are recorded on all shellfish tickets completed for coastal Dungeness crab landings through February 19, 2014.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-52-040, it is permissible for a vessel not designated on a Dungeness crab coastal fishery license to transport or deploy up to 250 pots at any one time for deployment in the coastal crab fishery between Klipsan Beach (46°28.00) and the U.S./Canada Border. The primary or alternate operator of the crab pot gear named on the license associated with the gear must be on board the vessel when the gear is being deployed. All other provisions of the permanent rule remain in effect.
a. Such a vessel may deploy crab pot gear only during the 64-hour period immediately preceding the season opening date and until 11:59 p.m. January 20, 2014.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
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