WSR 25-17-048
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-186—Filed August 14, 2025, 11:18 a.m., effective August 19, 2025]
Effective Date of Rule: August 19, 2025.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to close the 2025 Marine Area 1 recreational salmon fishery and prohibit possession of salmon onboard a vessel in the area once salmon fishing is closed. This rule also maintains other previously announced coastal recreational salmon seasons.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-313-07500C; and amending WAC 220-313-075.
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 purpose of this rule is to close recreational salmon seasons in Marine Area 1. The fishery in this area is projected to attain its coho catch quota by August 18. Catch and remaining quota will be evaluated after the closure to determine whether the fishery can be opened for additional opportunity this season. These rules are adopted at the recommendation of the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, in accordance with preseason fishing plans, and have been adopted for federal waters by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: August 14, 2025.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-07500DPacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas.
Effective August 19 through September 30, 2025, the provisions of WAC 220-313-075 regarding recreational salmon seasons for Marine Areas 1 through 4 shall be as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-313-075 not addressed in this section remain in effect unless otherwise amended:
(1) Catch Record Card Area 1:
(a) Closed to fishing for salmon
(b) Possession of salmon is prohibited onboard a vessel, including in transit.
(2) Catch Record Card Area 2:
(a) Open August 19 through September 15:
(i) Daily limit 2 salmon including no more one Chinook.
(ii) Release wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 22 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(v) Grays Harbor Control Zone is open. See WAC 220-306-040 for area definition.
(3) Catch Record Card Area 3:
(a) Open August 19 through September 15:
(i) Daily limit 2 salmon.
(ii) Release chum and wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(4) Catch Record Card Area 4:
(a) Open August 19 through September 15:
(i) Daily limit 2.
(ii) Release chum, and wild coho.
(iii) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.
(iv) Coho minimum length 16 inches.
(v) No chinook retention allowed in waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.
(vi) Catch Record Card Area 4 waters south of a line from Kydaka Point to Shipwreck Point are open to salmon fishing.
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 Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective August 19, 2025:
WAC 220-313-07500C | Pacific Ocean salmon—Seasons—Closed areas. (25-113) |