Purpose: Commercial fishing regulations.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-52-071 and 220-69-240.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 75.08.080.

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: Harvestable amounts of sea cucumbers are available in all districts and areas listed. San Juan Channel and southwestern Haro Strait are closed consistent with state/tribal agreement. Titlow Beach Marine Preserve and Sund Rock Marine Preserve are closed to preserve the character of the marine preserves. Tatoosh Island closure is consistent with tribal agreements. Eagle Harbor and Sinclair Inlet are closed for health-related reasons. Daily reports of landings are needed to prevent overharvest of allocations in each management region; fish receiving tickets are not received and processed in a manner that permits timely closure of regions. There is insufficient time to promulgate 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 2, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: June 29, 1998, 6:00 a.m.

June 15, 1998

Larry Peck

for Bern Shanks

Director

WAC 220-52-07100F  Sea cucumbers Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-52-071, effective 6:00 a.m. June 29, 1998 until further notice, it is unlawful for non-treaty sea cucumber harvesters to take or possess sea cucumbers taken for commercial purposes except as provided for in this section:

(1) Sea cucumber harvest using shellfish diver gear is allowed in Sea Cucumber District 1 (Marine Fish-Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Areas 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 22A, 22B, and 23B), Sea Cucumber District 2 (Marine Fish-Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Areas 23A, 23C, 23D, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25E, and 29), and Marine Fish-Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Areas 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 27A, 27B, 27C, 28A, 28B, 28C, and 28D Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each week from 6:00 a.m. to one-half hour before official sunset of each day, except for closures as provided for in this section.

(2) The following areas are closed to the harvest of sea cucumbers at all times:

(a) Those waters of Haro Strait north of a line projected east-west one-half mile south of Eagle Point on San Juan Island and south of a line projected east-west one-quarter mile north of Lime Kiln Light on San Juan Island.

(b) Those waters of San Juan Channel and Upright Channel within the following lines: north of a line from Cattle Point on San Juan Island to Davis Point on Lopez Island, south of a line projected from Flat Point on Lopez Island true west to Shaw Island, west of a line from Neck Point on Shaw Island to Steep Point on Orcas Island, and south of a line from Steep Point on Orcas Island to Limestone Point on San Juan Island.

(c) Titlow Beach Marine Preserve - All waters due west from the southern end of the Tacoma Outboard Association building near the boat launch ramp to the outer harbor line, then south following the outer harbor line to a line due west from the old ferry landing dock at the 6th Ave. extension then following the line to the high water line then to the point of origin.

(d) Tatoosh Island - Those waters within one-quarter mile of Tatoosh Island.

(e) Sund Rock Marine Preserve - Waters within 100 yards of the salmon net pens near Sund Rock in Hood Canal.

(f) Edmonds Underwater Park - Those tidelands and waters bounded by the mean high tide line then along the projected line of Main St. west to the outer harbor line, then 250 feet north following the outer harbor line, then back to shore, then to the point of origin.

(g) The waters of Eagle Harbor west of a line projected from Wing Point to Eagle Harbor Creosote Light Number 1 then due west to the shore on Bainbridge Island.

(h) The waters of Sinclair Inlet west of a line projected southerly from the easternmost point of Point Turner to landfall below the Veteran's Home in Annapolis.

(3) It is unlawful to dive for any purpose from a commercially-licensed fishing vessel, except vessels actively fishing geoducks under contract with the Washington Department of Natural Resources, on June 27 and 28, 1998.

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NEW SECTION

WAC 220-69-24000I  Duties of commercial purchasers and receivers Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-69-240, effective immediately until further notice:

(1) It is unlawful for any wholesale dealer purchasing sea cucumbers from non-treaty sea cucumber fishers to fail to report to the Department each day's purchase by 10:00 a.m. the following day. The report must specify the number of pounds taken by Marine Fish-Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Area. Either of the following two methods of reporting is acceptable.

(a) By facsimile (FAX) transmission to (360) 796-4997, or

(b) By telephone call to (360) 796-4601, extension 500.

(2) All fish receiving ticket reporting requirements of WAC 220-69-240 remain in effect.