[Order 25-104—Filed June 4, 2025, 9:05 a.m., effective June 6, 2025]

Effective Date of Rule: June 6, 2025.

Purpose: This emergency rule is needed to close shrimp harvest in the Iceberg Point portion of Marine Area 7 South.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-330-07000D; and amending WAC 220-330-070.

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 regulation is needed to ensure an orderly fishery, manage the fishery within court-ordered sharing requirements, and meet conservation objectives. Due to greater than anticipated effort and good catch rates, closing the Iceberg portion of Marine Area 7 South is necessary to keep recreational harvest of spot shrimp consistent with state/tribal management agreements. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 4, 2025.

WAC 220-330-07000EShrimp—Areas and seasons.

Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-330-070, effective June 6, 2025, until further notice, it is unlawful to fish for or possess shrimp taken for personal use in all waters of Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and the Discovery Bay Shrimp District, except as provided for in this section:

(1) Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line) and 5: Open daily for all shrimp species from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset, until further notice.

(2) Marine Area 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District): Open for all shrimp species from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset June 6 through 7, June 20 through 21, and July 18 through 19.

(3) Marine Area 7 South: Only that portion of Marine Area 7 South that is east of a line projected due south from Point Colville on Lopez Island and west of a line projected due south from Cattle Point on San Juan Island is open for all shrimp species on June 6 through June 7 from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset; the remainder of Marine Area 7 South is closed.

(4) Marine Area 7 East: Open for all shrimp species from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset June 6 through 7 for all shrimp species.

(5) Marine Area 7 West: Open for all shrimp species from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset June 6 through 7, June 20 through 21, and July 18 through 19.

(6) Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2:

(a) Open for all shrimp species June 6 from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m.

(b) Divers may take shrimp by hand or hand-held device from 7:00 p.m. until midnight on June 6 in Marine Area 8-2.

(7) Marine Area 9: Open daily through October 15 for shrimp species other than spot shrimp with a 150-foot maximum fishing depth restriction. During this time, it is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 150 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.

(8) Marine Area 11: Open daily through October 15 for shrimp species other than spot shrimp with a 150-foot maximum fishing depth restriction. During this time, it is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 150 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.

(9) Marine Area 12: Open for all shrimp species June 18, and July 2 from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m.

(10) Marine Area 13: Open daily through October 15 for shrimp species other than spot shrimp with a 200-foot maximum fishing depth restriction. During this time, it is unlawful to set or pull shrimp gear in waters greater than 200 feet deep. All spot shrimp caught must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.

The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective June 6, 2025:

Shrimp—Areas and seasons. (25-97)