WSR 26-03-026
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-08—Filed January 12, 2026, 4:58 p.m., effective January 12, 2026, 4:58 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to amend commercial crab fishing in Puget Sound;
WAC 220-340-47000H: (1) Increases the pot limit in Region 3-2, effective immediately; and (2) sets reduced pot limits by area for Puget Sound commercial crab harvest effective the dates listed in the amended WAC 220-340-455.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-340-47000G; and amending WAC 220-340-470.
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 increases the pot limits in Region 3-2 to 70 pots per license, effective immediately. There is sufficient allocation remaining to allow continued harvest in the Puget Sound commercial crab fishery in Regions 2E, 3-2, 3-3, and 3-4 until further notice. These provisions are in conformity with agreed management plans with applicable tribes. Comanagement plans are entered into as required by court order. The Puget Sound commercial season is structured to meet harvest allocation objectives negotiated with applicable treaty tribes and outlined in the management plans. There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rules. Further adjustment of season structure may be made pending updated harvest data.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: January 12, 2026.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-340-47000HCommercial crab fishery—Gear limits—Puget Sound and Marine Fish-Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Areas
Notwithstanding the provisions of 220-340-470, effective immediately, until further notice:
Effective during the "Open Period" listed in WAC 220-430-45500H, it is unlawful for any person to harvest crabs with more than the "Pot limit" per license per buoy tag number indicated within each "geographical management unit".
Geographical Management Unit (WAC 220-320-110) | Pot limit |
Region 1, MFSF Catch Areas 21A, 21B, and 22B | 0 |
Region 1, Marine Fish-Shellfish Catch Areas 22A, 20A, and 20B | 0 |
Region 2E, excluding Everett Flats CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(3)) | 25 |
Region 2E, Everett Flats CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(3)) | 0 |
Region 2W, not including Port Townsend Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(5)) | 0 |
Region 2W, Port Townsend Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(5)) | 20 |
Subregion 3-1 | 25 |
Subregion 3-2, not including Discovery Bay CSMA (WAC 220-230-120 (1)(a)), Sequim Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(6)), or the Port Angeles Harbor CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(4)). | 70 |
Subregion 3-2, Discovery Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120 (1)(a)) | 20 |
Subregion 3-2, Sequim Bay CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(6)) | 20 |
Subregion 3-2, the Port Angeles Harbor CSMA (WAC 220-320-120(4)). | 0 |
Subregion 3-3 | 50 |
Subregion 3-4 | 50 |
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 220-340-47000G | Commercial crab fishery—Gear limits—Puget Sound and Marine Fish-Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Areas. (25-311) |