WSR 22-08-093
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 22-51—Filed April 5, 2022, 2:54 p.m., effective April 9, 2022]
Effective Date of Rule: April 9, 2022.
Purpose: Amends recreational Puget Sound salmon rules for Marine Area 5.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-313-060.
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 to close salmon retention in waters of Marine Area 5. Current catch totals in Marine Area 5 have likely exceeded preseason fishery regulation assessment model projected catch. High effort and high catch per angler have led to higher than predicted harvest in the month of March. Due to ongoing concerns for numerous stocks in the Puget Sound, Washington department of fish and wildlife needs to take a conservation-minded approach to managing this fishery. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: April 5, 2022.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-06000UPuget Sound salmonSaltwater seasons and daily limits.
Effective April 9, 2022, until further notice, the following provisions of WAC 220-313-060 regarding salmon seasons for Catch Record Card Area 5 shall be as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-313-060 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
Catch Record Card Area 5: Salmon – Closed.