WSR 25-18-029
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-201—Filed August 22, 2025, 3:42 p.m., effective August 26, 2025]
Effective Date of Rule: August 26, 2025.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens purse seine and gillnet fisheries in Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Area 10.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-354-120 and 220-354-160.
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 rule is necessary to name week 35 commercial purse seine and gillnet fishery participants targeting pink salmon in Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Area 10, as required by WAC 220-354-050, for limited participation salmon net fisheries. This rule also sets open and closed gillnet periods, as well as releases requirements for these 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 22, 2025.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-354-12000APuget Sound salmon—Purse seine—Open periods.
Effective 7:00 am August 26, through 7:00 pm August 28, 2025 (week 35), the following participants that have been selected and notified by the Department, or their designated alternate operator, are permitted to participate in the Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Area 10 purse seine fishery under provisions of WAC 220-354-120. All other provisions of WAC 220-354-120 not contained in this section remain in effect unless otherwise altered by emergency rule:
(a) For Week 35 the following participants that registered are permitted to participate in the Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Area 10 pink salmon purse seine fishery:
(i) FV Wisconsin
(ii) FV Yankee Boy
(iii) FV AK7939AL
(iv) FV 9797AN
(v) FV Champion
(vi) FV Wisconsin
(b) Chinook, chum, coho, and sockeye release is required.
(c) The use of a recovery box is required. Purse seines must brail. It is unlawful to fail to brail or use a brailing bunt when fishing with purse seine gear. Any time brailing is required, purse seine fishers must also use a recovery box in compliance with WAC 220-354-100 (7)(a) through (f).
(d) It is unlawful to possess salmon caught in other Marine Areas while participating in this fishery.
(e) Agreement to participate in this fishery requires that a department observer be allowed on board the vessel while fishing if requested by department staff.
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-354-16000GPuget Sound salmon—Gillnet—Open periods.
Effective 7:00 pm August 26, through 7:00 am August 29, 2025 (week 35), the following participants that have been selected and notified by the Department, or their designated alternate operator, are permitted to participate in the Area 10 gillnet fishery under provisions of WAC 220-354-160 regarding commercial gillnet open periods in Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Area 10. All other provisions of WAC 220-354-160 not contained herein remain in effect unless otherwise altered by emergency rule:
| Area | Open/Closed | Time | Date(s) | |
| 10 | Closed | 7 AM - 6:59 PM (daily) | 8/26/2025 - 8/29/2025 | |
| 10 | Open | 7 PM - 6:59 AM (daily) | 8/26/2025 - 8/29/2025 | |
(a) For Week 35 the following participants that registered are permitted to participate in the Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Area 10 pink salmon gillnet fishery:
(i) FV Blue Chip
(ii) FV WN8742NR
(iii) FV Yaya
(iv) FV Katya Dawn
(v) FV WN6641SR
(b) Chinook, chum, coho, and sockeye release is required.
(c) The use of a recovery box is required in compliance with WAC 220-354-140 (5)(a) through (f). For gillnets it is unlawful to use a net soak time of more than 90 minutes.
(d) It is unlawful to possess salmon caught in other Marine Areas while participating in this fishery.
(e) Agreement to participate in this fishery requires that a department observer be allowed on board the vessel while fishing if requested by department staff.