WSR 23-07-096
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-44—Filed March 17, 2023, 1:43 p.m., effective March 20, 2023]
Effective Date of Rule: March 20, 2023.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open the harvest of red [sea] urchin in Sea Urchin District 4.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-340-750.
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 opens harvest in Sea Urchin District 4 because there is quota remaining. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: March 17, 2023.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-340-75000WCommercial sea urchin fishery.
Effective March 20, 2023, until further notice, the provisions of WAC 220-340-750 regarding commercial harvest of sea urchins shall be modified as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-340-750 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
(1) It is unlawful for any person to fish for, take, or possess for commercial purposes any green sea urchins less than 2.25 inches; or red sea urchins measuring less than 3.25 inches or greater than 5 inches. All measurements are caliper measurements of the largest shell (test) diameter, exclusive of the spines.
(2) The following areas are open for red sea urchin harvest only, seven days-per-week: Sea Urchin District 4.
(3) The maximum cumulative landings for red sea urchins for each weekly fishery opening period is 500 pounds per valid designated sea urchin harvest license.