PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial catch accounting rules.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.12.047.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Current catch accounting rules do not require identification when fish are delivered as dressed fish and do not require record retention concurrent with charging period for false reporting. Additionally, there is no limit on take-home halibut, which evades the wholesale dealer's license requirement, and fish receiving tickets are not required to be retained on board vessels participating in a vessel trip fishery. Clarifying these requirements, as well as clarifying when fresh fish need to be reported and the reporting of the entire amount of fish landed will assist in catch accounting.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jim Eby, Information Technical Services Manager, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98504-1091, phone (360) 902-2303. Contact by June 15, 2006. Expected proposal filing on or after June 16, 2006.
April 19, 2006
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator