WSR 26-01-165

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[Order 25-307—Filed December 19, 2025, 4:34 p.m., effective December 22, 2025]

Effective Date of Rule: December 22, 2025.

Purpose: This emergency rule closes commercial harvest in sea cucumber Districts 1 and 2-2.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-340-73000A.

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 emergency rule closes commercial sea cucumber harvest by returning commercial harvest to permanent rules. Remaining quotas for Districts 1 and 2-2 are expected to be taken by December 21, 2025. This action is necessary to prevent overharvest.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: December 19, 2025.

Kelly Susewind

Director

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective December 22, 2025: