PERMANENT RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: Incorporates the recommendations of the North of Falcon subgroup of the Pacific Fisheries Management Council to take harvestable numbers of fish in commercial salmon fisheries in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor while protecting species of fish listed as endangered.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-36-023, 220-40-027, and 220-22-020.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 11-08-017 on March 30, 2011, and WSR 11-08-032 on April 1, 2011.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: WAC 232-28-620 was withdrawn on April 1, 2011, and filed as WSR 11-08-031.
In WAC 220-36-023 and 220-40-027, the Washington department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) amended the proposals to require the release of wild coho, wild chinook, and chum. Forecasts of wild coho, wild chinook, and chum are not strong enough to allow significant directed fishing.
In WAC 220-22-020, WDFW amended commercial gillnet boundaries. The North of Falcon/Pacific Fishery Management Council process this year resulted in changes to these boundaries to allow commercial gillnet fishing throughout different times of the season.
The department also withdrew WAC 232-28-620 from this rule proposal. The withdrawal was filed as WSR 11-08-031 on April 1, 2011. This WAC was opened by another filing and not required for this rule proposal.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 22, 2011.
Philip Anderson
Director
OTS-3917.4
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 90-05, filed 1/19/90,
effective 2/19/90)
WAC 220-22-020
Coast, Willapa Harbor, Grays Harbor
Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas.
(1) Area 1 shall
include those waters ((of District 1 and the Oregon coast
westerly of a line projected from the inshore end of the north
Columbia River jetty in the state of Washington to the knuckle
of the south Columbia River jetty in the state of Oregon,
northerly of a line projected true west from Tillamook Head in
Oregon and southerly of a line projected true west from
Leadbetter Point in Washington)) within 3 nautical miles of
the Oregon and Washington coasts north of a line projected
true west from Tillamook Head (approximate latitude 45.94640
degrees N), westerly of a line projected from the inshore end
of the north Columbia River jetty to the knuckle of the south
Columbia River jetty, and south of a line projected true west
from Leadbetter Point in Washington along latitude 46.63611
degrees N.
(2) Area 2 shall include those waters ((of District 1
northerly of a line projected true west from Leadbetter Point
and southerly of a line projected true west from the Queets
River mouth)) within 3 nautical miles of the Washington coast
north of Area 1, westerly of a line projected from the
southern tip (located at 46.72791 degrees N, 124.05848 degrees
W) of the Jacobson Jetty near Washaway Beach due south to
Leadbetter Point along longitude 124.05848 degrees W, westerly
of a straight line projected from the Point Chehalis light
northerly through the Coast Guard lookout tower to the shore
near Point Brown, and south of a line projected true west from
the Queets River mouth along latitude 47.53856 degrees N.
(3) Area 2A shall include those waters of Grays Harbor
and the Chehalis River estuary upstream from the ((Union
Pacific Railroad)) Highway 101 Bridge at Aberdeen to a line
projected from the Lakeside Industries asphalt plant tower
(located at 46.97908 degrees N, 123.78317 degrees W) at a
right angle to the thread of the stream to the opposite shore.
(4) Area 2B shall include those waters of Grays Harbor
lying easterly of ((a straight line projected from the Point
Chehalis light, located 123 feet above mean high water at
Westport, through the Coast Guard look-out tower to the shore
near Point Brown)) Area 2, southerly of a line ((projected))
running from a fishing boundary marker located at the south
end of the eastern jetty at the Ocean Shores Marina, thence to
a fishing boundary marker (located at 46.96120 degrees N,
124.05575 degrees W) on Sand Island and thence to the tripod
station ((at)) (located at 46.98528 degrees N, 124.01195
degrees W) on Brackenridge Bluff, westerly of a line projected
from the tripod station at Brackenridge Bluff southward ((and
extending)) through channel marker 8 in the south channel at
the mouth of Johns River to the mainland, and northerly of the
Bay City Bridge.
(5) Area 2C shall include those waters of Grays Harbor
northerly ((of a line projected from a fishing boundary marker
at Ocean Shores Marina to a fishing boundary marker on Sand
Island to the tripod station at Brackenridge Bluff and
westerly of a line starting at a monument located at the point
of Holman Bluff near the mouth of Grass Creek and projected to
a monument set on Point New, exclusive of those waters within
1/4 mile of a monument set on the beach near the mouth of
Chenois Creek and those waters northerly of a line starting at
a monument located near the beach in front of the Giles Hogan
residence located west of the mouth of the Humptulips River,
thence projected in a southeasterly direction to a monument
set on the most southerly tip of the grass spit at the mouth
of the Humptulips River, thence projected in an easterly
direction to a point on Chenois Bluff at 47° 0' 32" N
latitude, 124° 1' W longitude)) of Area 2B, westerly of a line
crossing the mouth of Grass Creek projected true north and
south along longitude 124.01 degrees W, south and west of a
line around the mouth of Chenois Creek starting at landfall at
latitude 47.02661 degrees N projecting due west to longitude
124.03273 degrees W thence due north to landfall, and
southwesterly of a line crossing the mouth of the Humptulips
River projected westerly from the promontory located at
47.03236 degrees N, 124.04056 degrees W to landfall westerly
of Campbell Slough at 47.04155 degrees N, 124.08274 degrees W.
(6) Area 2D shall include those waters of Grays Harbor
and the Chehalis River estuary ((easterly of a line projected
from the tripod station at Brackenridge Bluff southward and
through channel marker 8 at the mouth of Johns River in the
south channel to the mainland and westerly of the Union
Pacific Railroad Bridge in Aberdeen)) downstream of Area 2A,
easterly of Area 2B, and westerly (downstream) of the Highway
105 Bridge on Johns River.
(7) ((Area 2G shall include those waters of Willapa
Harbor northerly of a line projected from Needle Point
approximately 305° true to the Island Sands light
approximately 2 miles south of Riddle Spit light No. 10 and
thence true west to the North Beach Peninsula, westerly of a
line projected from Needle Point northerly to day beacon No.
14 and thence to Ramsey Point, outside and westerly of a line
projected from Stony Point to the Bay Center Channel light (F1
4 seconds, 16 feet) to the northern tip of Goose Point,
downstream and westerly of a line projected 235 degrees true
from the north shore of the Willapa River through Willapa
River light number 33 to the south shore, outside and
southerly of a line commencing at a boundary marker on the
west shore of the North River projected 82 degrees true
through channel marker No. 16 to a boundary marker on the east
shore, outside and southerly of a line projected from the
Cedar River's meander corner between Section 31, Township 15N,
and Section 6, Township 14N, Range 10W, W.M., to the meander
corner between Sections 36, Township 15N, and Section 1,
Township 14N, Range 11W, W.M., and inside and easterly of a
straight line projected from the Cape Shoalwater light through
buoy 8A, located between buoy 8 and buoy 10, approximately
1,500 yards from Cape Shoalwater light on a line 171° true, to
Leadbetter Point.
(8) Area 2H shall include those waters of Willapa Harbor and the Willapa River estuary easterly of Area 2G and downstream from a line projected true north from the Standard Oil dock in South Bend to the opposite shore of the Willapa River.
(9) Area 2J shall include those waters of Willapa Harbor lying southerly and westerly of a line projected from Diamond Point to the Island Sands light, approximately 2 miles south of Riddle Spit light No. 10, and thence due west to the North Beach Peninsula, and northerly of a line projected true east-west through marker 20 between Long Island and the North Beach Peninsula.
(10) Area 2K shall include those waters of Willapa Harbor easterly of a line projected from the northern tip of Goose Point to the Bay Center Channel light (F1 4 seconds, 16 feet) to Stony Point and westerly of the Palix River Highway 101 Bridge.
(11) Area 2M shall include those waters of Willapa Harbor lying southerly and easterly of a line projected from Needle Point approximately 285° true to the Island Sands light, approximately 2 miles south of Riddle Spit light No. 10, and south to Diamond Point, downstream and westerly of the Highway 101 Bridge over the Naselle River, and northerly and easterly of a line from Stanley Point to Paradise Point.
(12))) Area 2K shall include those waters of Willapa Harbor easterly of a line running from the northern tip of Goose Point to the Bay Center Channel light (Fl G 4s 18ft) thence to the western tip of Stony Point, and westerly of the Highway 101 bridges over the Palix and Niawiakum rivers.
(8) Area 2M shall include those waters of Willapa Harbor lying southeasterly of a line running from Needle Point northwesterly to the Island Sands light (Fl 2+1 G 6s 15ft, located at 46.53860 degrees N, 123.97654 degrees W) thence southerly to Diamond Point, northerly and easterly of a line from Stanley Point to Paradise Point, and downstream and northwesterly of the Highway 101 Bridge over the Naselle River.
(9) Area 2N shall include those waters of Willapa Harbor lying south of a line projected due west from the northern tip of Goose Point to landfall on Leadbetter Point along latitude 46.63667 degrees N, northwesterly of a line projected from Needle Point 60 degrees true to landfall north of the North Nemah River at 46.52223 degrees N, 123.89603 degrees W, northerly of Area 2M and a line projected from the Island Sands light thence due west to landfall on the North Beach Peninsula.
(10) Area 2P shall include those waters of Willapa Harbor lying inside and southerly of a line projected from Diamond Point westerly through Marker 2 (Fl R 4s 15ft, located at 46.50165 degrees N, 124.02382 degrees W) at the Nahcotta Boat Basin (RF#2) thence southerly to the north end of the boat basin jetty, and northerly of a line projected true west from High Point (approximate latitude 47.40951 degrees N) to landfall on the North Beach Peninsula.
(11) Area 2R shall include those waters of Willapa Harbor lying westerly and southerly of Areas 2M and 2N, and northerly of a line projected from Diamond Point westerly through Marker 2 at the Nahcotta Boat Basin to landfall on the North Beach Peninsula.
(12) Area 2T shall include those waters of Willapa Harbor easterly of Area 2, northerly of Areas 2K and 2N, west of a line projecting true north and south through Range Marker "B" (located at 46.70938 degrees N, 123.85501 degrees W), southerly of a line running true west and east through a North River Channel marker located at 46.73510 degrees N, 123.911906 degrees W, and easterly of a line projected true north from Marker 3 (located at 46.70725 degrees N, 123.96608 degrees W) at the Tokeland Boat basin to landfall east of the Cedar River.
(13) Area 2U shall include those waters of Willapa Harbor and the Willapa River estuary easterly of Area 2T, downstream and westerly from the Hwy 101 Bridge in Raymond, and excluding all waters of the South Fork Willapa River above a line at its mouth projected from the Weyerhauser chimney (located at 46.68927 degrees N, 123.74121 degrees W) southwesterly at a right angle to the thread of the stream to the opposite shore.
(14) Area 3 shall include those waters ((of District 1
northerly of a line projected true west from the Queets River
mouth and southerly)) within 3 nautical miles of the
Washington coast north of Area 2 and south of a line projected
true west from Cape Alava along latitude 48.16667 degrees N.
(((13))) (15) Area 4 shall include those waters ((of
District 1 northerly of a line projected true west from Cape
Alava)) within 3 nautical miles of the Washington coast north
of Area 3, westerly of a line((s)) projected from the northern
tip of Portage Head to the southern tip of Waatch Point, and
((from)) westerly of the Bonilla-Tatoosh ((Island light to
Bonilla Point and southerly of a line projected true west from
the intersection of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line with the
U.S.-Canada International Boundary)) Line (WAC 220-16-490).
(((14))) (16) Area 4A shall include those waters easterly
and inside of a line projected from the northern tip of
Portage Head to the southern tip of Waatch Point, outside and
westerly of the mouth of any river or stream flowing to the
sea.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 90-03-068 (Order 90-05), § 220-22-020, filed 1/19/90, effective 2/19/90; 84-15-008 (Order 84-66), § 220-22-020, filed 7/6/84; 82-13-048 (Order 82-63), § 220-22-020, filed 6/11/82; 81-13-005 (Order 81-37), § 220-22-020, filed 6/8/81; 80-09-072 (Order 80-69), § 220-22-020, filed 7/18/80; 78-07-067 (Order 78-45), § 220-22-020, filed 6/30/78; Order 77-71, § 220-22-020, filed 8/18/77; Order 77-14, § 220-22-020, filed 4/15/77; Order 76-35, § 220-22-020, filed 5/11/76.]
Reviser's note: The spelling 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.
OTS-3919.3
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 09-108, filed 5/27/10,
effective 6/27/10)
WAC 220-36-023
Salmon -- Grays Harbor fall fishery.
From
August 16 through December 31 of each year, it is unlawful to
fish for salmon in Grays Harbor for commercial purposes or to
possess salmon taken from those waters for commercial
purposes, except that:
Fishing periods:
(1) Gill net gear may be used to fish for salmon and
white sturgeon only according to the chart below. All
nonlegal sturgeon, all steelhead, and all other species
including Chinook, coho, chum and white sturgeon must be
handled with care to minimize injury and must be released
immediately to the river/bay:
| Time: | Areas: |
| (( |
|
AND 7:30 a.m. October 14 through 7:30 p.m. October 14, 2010. |
|
| 6:00 p.m. August 18 through 6:00 p.m. August 19, 2011; | Area 2C |
| 6:00 p.m. August 21 through 6:00 p.m. August 22, 2011; | |
| 6:00 p.m. August 25 through 6:00 p.m. August 26, 2011; | |
| 6:00 p.m. August 28 through 6:00 p.m. August 29, 2011; | |
| 6:00 p.m. September 1 through 6:00 p.m. September 2, 2011; | |
| 6:00 p.m. September 7 through 6:00 p.m. September 8, 2011; | |
| 6:00 p.m. September 11 through 6:00 p.m. September 12, 2011; | |
| 6:00 p.m. September 15 through 6:00 p.m. September 16, 2011; | |
| 9:30 a.m. October 24 through 7:30 p.m. October 24, 2011; | |
| AND | |
| 5:00 a.m. October 25 through 3:00 p.m. October 25, 2011. | |
| 9:00 a.m. October 8 through 7:00
p.m. October 8, 2011; 7:00 a.m. October 12 through 5:00 p.m. October 12, 2011; AND 8:30 a.m. October 18 through 6:30 p.m. October 18, 2011; |
Area 2A shall include those waters of Grays Harbor and the Chehalis River estuary upstream from the Highway 101 Bridge at Aberdeen to a line projected from the Lakeside Industries asphalt plant tower at a right angle to the thread of the stream to the opposite shore; |
| AND | |
| That portion of Area 2D lying easterly of a north-south line from the confluence of the Hoquiam and Chehalis rivers to Renney Island, then easterly to "Range Marker G," located on the south shore of Grays Harbor, then to the eastern boundary of Area 2D at the Highway 101 Bridge. | |
| 8:30 a.m. October 23 through 6:30
p.m. October 23, 2011; AND 7:30 a.m. October 28 through 4:30 p.m. October 28, 2011. |
Area 2A shall include
those waters of Grays
Harbor and the Chehalis
River estuary upstream
from the Highway 101
Bridge at Aberdeen to a
line projected from the
Lakeside Industries asphalt
plant tower at a right angle
to the thread of the stream
to the opposite shore; AND Area 2D. |
(2) Gill net gear restrictions: All areas:
(a) Drift gill net gear only. It is unlawful to use set net gear. It is permissible to have on board a commercial vessel more than one net, provided the nets are of a mesh size legal for the fishery, and the length of any one net does not exceed one thousand five hundred feet in length.
Nets with a mesh size different from that being actively fished must be properly stored. A properly stored net is defined as a net on a drum that is fully covered by a tarp (canvas or plastic) and bound with a minimum of ten revolutions of rope that is 3/8 (0.375) inches or greater.
It is unlawful to use a gill net to fish for salmon if the lead line weighs more than two pounds per fathom of net as measured on the cork line, provided that it is lawful to have a gill net with a lead line weighing more than two pounds per fathom aboard a vessel when the vessel is fishing in or in transiting through Grays Harbor.
(b) From August 16 through September 30, 2011: In Area
2C, mesh size must not exceed seven and one-half inch minimum
to nine-inch maximum ((mesh)).
From October 1 through October 22, 2011: In Areas 2A and
2D, mesh size must not exceed six-inch maximum ((mesh)). Nets
may be no more than fifty-five meshes deep. Nets must hang
straight from top to the bottom. Strings may only be used to
secure breakaway panels.
From October 23 through October 31, 2011: In Areas 2A and 2D mesh size must not exceed six and one-half inch maximum.
From October 24 through October 31, 2011: In Area 2C mesh size must not exceed nine-inch maximum.
(c) ((Entire nets must be single mesh size.)) Only one
net may be fished at a time; other nets must be properly
stored.
(d) Soak time must not exceed 45 minutes. Soak time is defined as the time elapsed from when the first of the gill net web is deployed into the water until the gill net web is fully retrieved from the water.
(e) Each boat must have two operable recovery boxes or
one box with two chambers on board when fishing Areas 2A,
((2D)) 2C, and ((2C)) 2D. Each box must be operating during
any time the net is being retrieved or picked. The flow in
the recovery box must be a minimum of 16 gallons per minute in
each chamber of the box, not to exceed 20 gallons per minute. Each chamber of the recovery box must meet the following
dimensions as measured from within the box: The inside length
measurement must be at or within 39-1/2 inches to 48 inches,
the inside width measurements must be at or within 8 to 10
inches, and the inside height measurement must be at or within
14 to 16 inches.
Each chamber of the recovery box must include a water inlet hole between 3/4 inch and 1 inch in diameter, centered horizontally across the door or wall of the chamber and 1-3/4 inches from the floor of the chamber. Each chamber of the recovery box must include a water outlet hole opposite the inflow that is at least 1-1/2 inches in diameter. The center of the outlet hole must be located a minimum of 12 inches above the floor of the box or chamber. The fisher must demonstrate to department employees, fish and wildlife enforcement officers, or other peace officers, upon request, that the pumping system is delivering the proper volume of fresh river/bay water into each chamber.
(f) Releases:
(i) All wild (unmarked) coho, nonlegal sturgeon,
((chum,)) and all steelhead must be handled with care to
minimize injury to the fish and must be released immediately
to the river/bay or to an operating recovery box when fishing
in Area 2C.
(ii) All ((wild (unmarked))) Chinook, nonlegal sturgeon,
((chum,)) and all steelhead must be handled with care to
minimize injury to the fish and must be released immediately
to the river/bay or to an operating recovery box when fishing
Areas 2A and 2D.
(g) Any fish that is bleeding or lethargic must be placed in the recovery box prior to being released to the river/bay.
(h) All fish placed in recovery boxes must be released to the river/bay prior to landing or docking.
Other
(3) Quick reporting is required for wholesale dealers and
fishers retailing their catch under a "direct retail
endorsement." According to WAC 220-69-240(12), reports must
be made by 10:00 a.m. the day following landing.
(4) Fishers must take department observers if requested
by department staff when participating in these openings. Pursuant to WAC 220-69-240, fishers also must provide notice
of intent to participate by contacting Quick Reporting by
phone, fax or e-mail. Notice of intent must be given prior to
12:00 p.m. on August ((20, 2010)) 14, 2011, for ((the openings
in Area 2C and prior to 12:00 p.m. October 1, 2010, for the
openings in Area 2A and 2D)) August and September openings and
prior to 12:00 p.m. on October 18 for the October openings in
Area 2C. Notice of intent must be given prior to 12:00 p.m.
October 4, 2011, for the openings in Areas 2A and 2D.
(5) ((NOAA Fisheries has listed the southern population
of green sturgeon as threatened under the Endangered Species
Act, effective July 6, 2006. Most of the green sturgeon taken
in Washington fisheries are from the Columbia River stock,
which is part of the southern population. Therefore,)) The
retention of green sturgeon is prohibited ((to protect this
federally listed stock)).
(6) It is unlawful to fish for salmon with gill net gear in Areas 2A, 2C, and 2D unless the vessel operator has attended a "Fish Friendly" best fishing practices workshop and has in their possession a department-issued certification card.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. 10-12-061 (Order 09-108), § 220-36-023, filed 5/27/10, effective 6/27/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047 and 77.04.020. 09-16-125 (Order 09-109), § 220-36-023, filed 8/4/09, effective 9/4/09; 08-15-003 (Order 08-166), § 220-36-023, filed 7/3/08, effective 8/3/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.020, 77.12.047, and 77.65.200. 07-17-010, § 220-36-023, filed 8/3/07, effective 9/3/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 05-17-006 (Order 05-167), § 220-36-023, filed 8/3/05, effective 9/3/05; 04-16-013 (Order 04-183), § 220-36-023, filed 7/22/04, effective 8/22/04; 03-18-004 (Order 03-208), § 220-36-023, filed 8/20/03, effective 9/20/03; 01-13-055 (Order 01-104), § 220-36-023, filed 6/15/01, effective 7/16/01; 00-23-065 (Order 00-240), § 220-36-023, filed 11/15/00, effective 12/16/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 99-24-104 (Order 99-206), § 220-36-023, filed 11/30/99, effective 12/31/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080 and 77.12.040. 98-15-081 (Order 98-122), § 220-36-023, filed 7/15/98, effective 8/15/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 97-15-148 (Order 97-123), § 220-36-023, filed 7/23/97, effective 8/23/97; 96-13-035 (Order 96-77), § 220-36-023, filed 6/11/96, effective 7/12/96; 95-13-065 (Order 95-76), § 220-36-023, filed 6/19/95, effective 7/20/95; 94-13-014 (Order 94-46), § 220-36-023, filed 6/3/94, effective 7/4/94; 93-14-042 (Order 93-54), § 220-36-023, filed 6/29/93, effective 7/30/93; 90-18-023 (Order 90-77), § 220-36-023, filed 8/24/90, effective 9/24/90; 89-16-056 (Order 89-71), § 220-36-023, filed 7/28/89, effective 8/28/89.]
OTS-3920.4
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 09-108, filed 5/27/10,
effective 6/27/10)
WAC 220-40-027
Salmon -- Willapa Bay fall fishery.
From
August 16 through December 31 of each year, it is unlawful to
fish for salmon in Willapa Bay for commercial purposes or to
possess salmon taken from those waters for commercial
purposes, except that:
Fishing periods:
(1) Gill net gear may be used to fish for salmon and
white sturgeon only as shown below. All nonlegal sturgeon,
all steelhead, and all other species including Chinook, coho,
chum and white sturgeon, must be handled with care to minimize
injury to the fish and must be released immediately to the
river/bay:
| Time: | Area: |
| (( |
|
AND 6:00 p.m. September 27 through 6:00 p.m. September 28, 2010. |
|
| 6:00 p.m. August 29 through 6:00 a.m. August 30, 2011; | Area 2N and Area 2U |
| AND | |
| 6:00 p.m. August 31 through 6:00 a.m. September 1, 2011. | |
| 6:00 p.m. September 6 through 6:00 a.m. September 7, 2011; | Area 2N, Area 2R, and Area 2U |
| AND | |
| 6:00 p.m. September 8 through 6:00 a.m. September 9, 2011. | |
| 6:00 p.m. September 13 through 6:00 p.m. September 22, 2011. | Area 2M, Area 2N, Area 2R, Area 2T, and Area 2U |
| 6:00 p.m. September 21 through 6:00 p.m. September 22, 2011; | Area 2K |
| AND | |
| 6:00 p.m. September 28 through 6:00 p.m. September 29, 2011. | |
| 6:00 p.m. September 24 through 6:00 p.m. September 30, 2011; | Area 2M, Area 2N, Area 2R, Area 2T, and Area 2U |
| 6:00 p.m. October 2 through 6:00 p.m. October 7, 2011; | |
| 6:00 p.m. October 10 through 6:00 p.m. October 14, 2011; | |
| AND | |
| 12:00 p.m. November 6 through 12:00 p.m. November 30, 2011. |
Gear:
(((3))) (2) Gill net gear restrictions - All areas:
(a) Drift gill net gear only. It is unlawful to use set net gear. It is permissible to have on board a commercial vessel more than one net, provided the nets are of a mesh size that is legal for the fishery, and the length of any one net does not exceed one thousand five hundred feet in length.
Nets with a mesh size different from that being actively fished must be properly stored. A properly stored net is defined as a net on a drum that is fully covered by a tarp (canvas or plastic) and bound with a minimum of ten revolutions of rope that is 3/8 (0.375) inches or greater.
It is unlawful to use a gill net to fish for salmon if the lead line weighs more than two pounds per fathom of net as measured on the cork line, provided that it is lawful to have a gill net with a lead line weighing more than two pounds per fathom aboard a vessel when the vessel is fishing in or in transiting through Willapa Bay.
(b) From August 16 through ((August 31, 2010)) September
12, 2011: Mesh size must not exceed ((six-inch minimum mesh
to)) nine-inch maximum mesh.
(c) From September ((1)) 13 through ((6:00 p.m.))
September ((22, 2010)) 23, 2011: Mesh size must not exceed
six-inch maximum mesh.
(d) From ((6:01 p.m.)) September ((22)) 24 through
October ((15, 2010)) 31, 2011: Mesh size must not exceed six
and one-half inch maximum mesh.
(e) From November 6 through November 30, ((2010)) 2011:
Mesh size must not exceed nine-inch minimum mesh, except from
6:00 p.m. November 11 through 6:00 p.m. November 19, 2011
(coho directed), there are two alternatives:
(i) Use six and one-half inch maximum mesh; or
(ii) Use nine-inch minimum mesh.
Only one net of either six and one-half inch or nine-inch configuration, not exceeding fifteen hundred feet, may be used when in the act of fishing.
(f) Only one net may be fished at a time; other nets must be properly stored.
(g) Each boat must have two operable recovery boxes or
one box with two chambers on board when fishing in Willapa Bay
Areas ((2G, 2H, 2J, 2K, and 2M)) 2K, 2M, 2N, 2R, 2T, and 2U
from August 16 through October 31, 2011. Each box must be
operating during any time the net is being retrieved or
picked. The flow in the recovery box must be a minimum of 16
gallons per minute in each chamber of the box, not to exceed
20 gallons per minute. Each chamber of the recovery box must
meet the following dimensions as measured from within the box:
The inside length measurement must be at or within 39-1/2
inches to 48 inches, the inside width measurements must be at
or within 8 to 10 inches, and the inside height measurement
must be at or within 14 to 16 inches.
Each chamber of the recovery box must include a water inlet hole between 3/4 inch and 1 inch in diameter, centered horizontally across the door or wall of the chamber and 1-3/4 inches from the floor of the chamber. Each chamber of the recovery box must include a water outlet hole opposite the inflow that is at least 1-1/2 inches in diameter. The center of the outlet hole must be located a minimum of 12 inches above the floor of the box or chamber. The fisher must demonstrate to department employees, fish and wildlife enforcement officers, or other peace officers, upon request, that the pumping system is delivering the proper volume of fresh river/bay water into each chamber.
(h) Soak time must not exceed 45 minutes. Soak time is defined as the time elapsed from when the first of the gill net web is deployed into the water until the gill net web is fully retrieved from the water.
(i) From August 16 through September 30, ((2010)) 2011,
all ((wild (unmarked) coho,)) wild (unmarked) Chinook,
nonlegal sturgeon and all steelhead must be handled with care
to minimize injury to the fish and must be released
immediately to the river/bay or to an operating recovery box
when fishing in Willapa Bay Areas ((2G, 2H, 2J, 2K, and 2M))
2K, 2M, 2N, 2R, 2T, and 2U.
From October 1 through October ((15, 2010)) 31, 2011, all
wild (unmarked) ((coho)) Chinook, chum, nonlegal sturgeon, and
all steelhead must be handled with care to minimize injury to
the fish and must be released immediately to the river/bay or
to an operating recovery box when fishing in Willapa Bay Areas
((2G, 2H, 2J, 2K, and 2M)) 2K, 2M, 2N, 2R, 2T, and 2U.
From November 6 through November 30, 2011, all nonlegal sturgeon and all steelhead must be handled with card to minimize injury to the fish and must be released immediately to the river/bay when fishing in Willapa Bay Areas 2K, 2M, 2N, 2R, 2T, and 2U.
(j) Any fish that is bleeding or lethargic must be placed in the recovery box prior to being released to the river/bay.
(k) All fish placed in recovery boxes must be released to the river/bay prior to landing or docking.
Other:
(((4))) (3) Quick reporting is required for wholesale
dealers and fishers retailing their catch under a "direct
retail endorsement." According to WAC 220-69-240(12), reports
must be made by 10:00 a.m. the day following landing.
(((5) NOAA Fisheries has listed the southern population
of green sturgeon as threatened under the Endangered Species
Act, effective July 6, 2006. Most of the green sturgeon taken
in Washington fisheries are from the Columbia River stock,
which is part of the southern population. Therefore,)) (4)
The retention of green sturgeon is prohibited((; to protect
this federally listed stock)).
(((6))) (5) It is unlawful to fish ((for salmon)) with
gill net gear in Areas ((2G, 2H, 2J, 2K, and 2M)) 2K, 2M, 2N,
2R, 2T, and 2U unless the vessel operator has attended a "Fish
Friendly" best fishing practices workshop and ((is)) has in
their possession ((of)) a department-issued certification
card.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. 10-12-061 (Order 09-108), § 220-40-027, filed 5/27/10, effective 6/27/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047 and 77.04.020. 09-16-125 (Order 09-109), § 220-40-027, filed 8/4/09, effective 9/4/09; 08-15-003 (Order 08-166), § 220-40-027, filed 7/3/08, effective 8/3/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.020, 77.12.047, and 77.65.200. 07-17-010, § 220-40-027, filed 8/3/07, effective 9/3/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 05-17-006 (Order 05-167), § 220-40-027, filed 8/3/05, effective 9/3/05; 04-16-013 (Order 04-183), § 220-40-027, filed 7/22/04, effective 8/22/04; 03-18-004 (Order 03-208), § 220-40-027, filed 8/20/03, effective 9/20/03; 02-16-021 (Order 02-173), § 220-40-027, filed 7/26/02, effective 8/26/02; 01-13-055 (Order 01-104), § 220-40-027, filed 6/15/01, effective 7/16/01; 00-23-065 (Order 00-240), § 220-40-027, filed 11/15/00, effective 12/16/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 99-24-104 (Order 99-206), § 220-40-027, filed 11/30/99, effective 12/31/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080 and 77.12.040. 98-15-081 (Order 98-122), § 220-40-027, filed 7/15/98, effective 8/15/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 97-15-148 (Order 97-123), § 220-40-027, filed 7/23/97, effective 8/23/97; 96-13-035 (Order 96-77), § 220-40-027, 6/11/96, effective 7/12/96; 95-13-065 (Order 95-76), § 220-40-027, filed 6/19/95, effective 7/20/95; 94-16-017 (Order 94-61), § 220-40-027, filed 7/21/94, effective 8/21/94; 93-14-042 (Order 93-54), § 220-40-027, filed 6/29/93, effective 7/30/93; 90-18-023 (Order 90-77), § 220-40-027, filed 8/24/90, effective 9/24/90; 89-16-056 (Order 89-71), § 220-40-027, filed 7/28/89, effective 8/28/89.]