WSR 16-16-006
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 16-185—Filed July 20, 2016, 4:19 p.m., effective July 23, 2016]
Effective Date of Rule: July 23, 2016.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules for coastal salmon.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-62000X; and amending WAC 232-28-620.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, 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: This emergency rule is needed because sufficient catch remains under the Marine Area 2 Chinook guideline to allow the daily limit to increase to two salmon providing additional angling opportunity. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 20, 2016.
Joe Stohr
for J. W. Unsworth
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 232-28-62000Y Coastal salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 232-28-620, effective July 23, 2016, until further notice, it is unlawful to violate the provisions below. Unless otherwise amended, all permanent rules remain in effect:
(1) Catch Record Card Area 1:
(a) Immediately through August 31:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon; no more than one may be a Chinook.
(ii) Release wild coho.
(b) September 1 until further notice: Closed.
(c) Closed in the Columbia River Mouth Control Zone 1 during all open periods. See WAC 220-56-195.
(2) Catch Record Card Area 2:
(a) Immediately through August 21:
(i) Daily limit of two salmon.
(ii) Release coho.
(iii) Beginning August 8, the Grays Harbor Control Zone is closed. Grays Harbor Control Zone - The area defined by a line drawn from the Westport Lighthouse (46°53.18'N latitude, 124°07.01'W longitude) to Buoy #2 (46°52.42'N latitude, 124°12.42'W longitude) to Buoy #3 (46°55.00'N latitude, 124°14.48'W longitude) to the Grays Harbor north jetty (46°55.36'N latitude, 124°10.51'W longitude).
(b) August 22 until further notice - Closed.
(3) Willapa Bay (Catch Record Card Area 2-1):
(a) Immediately through July 31: Open concurrent with Area 2 when Area 2 is open for salmon angling. Area 2 rules apply.
(b) August 1 until further notice:
(i) Daily limit of 6 salmon; no more than 4 may be adult salmon.
(ii) Release wild Chinook.
(iii) Anglers in possession of a valid two-pole endorsement may use up to two lines while fishing.
(iv) Waters north of a line from Toke Point channel marker 3 easterly through Willapa Harbor channel marker 13 (green) then, northeasterly to the power transmission pole located at 46°43.19'N, 123°50.83'W are closed August 1 until further notice.
(4) Grays Harbor (Catch Record Card Area 2-2 east of the Buoy 13 line):
(a) Immediately through July 31: Closed.
(b) August 1 until further notice:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(ii) Release wild coho.
(iii) Waters south of a line running from the south end of the eastern jetty at Ocean Shores Marina to the fishing boundary marker on Sand Island (46°57.52'N, 124°03.36'W) to the Tripod Station on Brackenridge Bluff (46°59.12'N, 124°00.72'W) are closed.
(c) The Westport Boat Basin and Ocean Shores Boat Basin are open only August 16 until further notice.
(i) Daily limit of 6 salmon; no more than 4 may be adult salmon.
(ii) Release Chinook.
(iii) Night closure and anti-snagging rule in effect.
(5) Grays Harbor (Catch Record Card Area 2-2 west of the Buoy 13 line):
(a) Immediately through August 7: Open concurrent with Area 2 when Area 2 is open for salmon angling. Area 2 rules apply.
(b) August 8 until further notice: Closed.
(6) Catch Record Card Area 3:
(a) Immediately through August 21:
(i) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(ii) Release coho.
(iii) In years ending in odd numbers, two additional pink salmon may be retained as part of the daily limit.
(b) August 22 until further notice: Closed.
(7) Catch Record Card Area 4:
(a) Immediately through August 21:
(iv) Daily limit of 2 salmon.
(v) Release coho.
(vi) In years ending in odd numbers, two additional pink salmon may be retained as part of the daily limit.
(vii) Waters east of a true north-south line through Sail Rock are closed through July 31.
(viii) Waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line closed beginning August 1.
(ix) Release chum salmon beginning August 1.
(b) August 22 until further notice: Closed.
Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed effective July 23, 2016:
WAC 232-28-62000X
Coastal salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits. (16-117)