WSR 14-16-121

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed August 6, 2014, 11:02 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amending coastal commercial Dungeness crab rules.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Revisions to coastal commercial Dungeness crab rules are needed to improve the intent and enforceability of rules that describe the process and requirements for issuing replacement buoy tags and submitting coastal Dungeness crab logbooks. New provisions are needed to implement gear retrieval requirements for coastal Dungeness crab fishermen to improve enforceability and minimize derelict crab gear. Based on recommendations from the Tri-State Dungeness Crab Committee changes to the preseason gear set period are needed to improve safety, enhance enforceability and provide for a coordinated season opening for the Washington and Oregon commercial Dungeness crab fishery.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Washington, Oregon and California coordinate coastal Dungeness crab management through the Tri-State Dungeness Crab Committee which is facilitated under the umbrella of the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. While the Tri-State Dungeness Crab Committee does not have regulatory authority, changes proposed that affect Oregon and California have been discussed and approved by the Tri-State Dungeness Crab Committee.

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 contacting Joanna Eide, Rules Coordinator, WDFW Enforcement, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501, phone (360) 902-2403, fax (360) 902-2155, e-mail Rules.Coordinator@dfw.wa.gov.

August 6, 2014

Joanna M. Eide

Rules Coordinator