WSR 23-20-012
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 23-210—Filed September 21, 2023, 4:18 p.m., effective September 22, 2023]
Effective Date of Rule: September 22, 2023.
Purpose: Increase the coho daily limit in Marine Area 10.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-313-06000L; and amending WAC 220-313-060.
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 Marine Area 10 coho limit was reduced in early August due to high catches in June and July and concern for natural coho impacts that occur in Area 10. Since that time, catch has leveled off to preseason expectations, and coho returns to multiple watersheds throughout Puget Sound have alleviated concerns for meeting natural coho conservation targets.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: September 21, 2023.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-06000MPuget Sound salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits.
Effective September 22 through October 31, 2023, salmon rules for Catch Record Card Area 10 shall be modified as described herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-313-060 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
(1) Catch Record Card Area 10, except; Sinclair Inlet and Port Orchard, and Year-round piers (Seacrest Pier, Waterman Pier, Bremerton Boardwalk, and Illahee State Park Pier):
(a) Effective Immediately, through September 30, 2023: Salmon daily limit 2 coho, plus 2 additional pink salmon. Release Chinook, chum.
(b) Effective October 1 through October 31, 2023: Salmon daily limit 2. Release Chinook.
(2) Sinclair Inlet (Waters of Sinclair Inlet and Port Orchard south of the Manette Bridge in Bremerton, south of a line drawn true west from Battle Point, and west of a line drawn true south from Point White):
(a) Effective immediately, through September 30, 2023: Salmon daily limit 3 including no more than 2 coho, plus 2 additional pink salmon. Release wild Chinook and chum.
(b) Effective October 1 through October 31, 2023: Salmon daily limit 2. Release Chinook.
(3) Seacrest Pier, Waterman Pier, Bremerton Boardwalk, and Illahee State Park Pier:
Effective immediately, through September 30, 2023: Salmon daily limit is 2 including no more than 1 Chinook, plus two additional pink salmon.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective September 22, 2023:
WAC 220-313-06000L | Puget Sound salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits. (23-199) |