WSR 25-17-079
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-191—Filed August 19, 2025, 1:00 p.m., effective August 19, 2025, 1:00 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens recreational sockeye salmon retention in Catch Record Card Areas 5, 6, and 7.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: 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: This emergency rule is necessary to open sockeye salmon retention in Catch Record Card Areas 5, 6, and 7. The return of sockeye salmon to the Fraser River is projected to be above forecast, allowing for sockeye salmon retention in these Puget Sound recreational fisheries. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: August 19, 2025.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-313-06000BPuget Sound salmon—Saltwater seasons and daily limits.
Effective immediately through August 31, 2025, the following provisions of WAC 220-313-060 regarding salmon seasons for Catch Record Card areas 5, 6, and 7 are modified as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-313-060 not addressed in this section, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
(1) Catch Record Card Area 5: Salmon daily limit is 2 plus 2 additional pink salmon may be retained. Release Chinook, chum, and wild coho.
(2) Catch Record Card Area 6: Salmon daily limit is 2 plus 2 additional pink salmon may be retained. Release Chinook, chum, and wild coho.
(3) Catch Record Card Area 7, except Bellingham Bay and areas closed to salmon retention in WAC 220-313-060: Salmon daily limit is 2 plus 2 additional pink salmon may be retained. Release Chinook, chum, and wild coho.