WSR 98-14-018
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Filed June 19, 1998, 4:32 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial shellfish rules.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 75.08.080.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Historical data show that fishing during the crab molt damages the resource because softshell crab are discarded at sea, and many discarded softshell crab do not survive. A deep water closure is needed to minimize the risk to fishers and processors of being cited for possessing crabs that do not meet the legal standard.
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 Bruce Crawford, Assistant Director, Fish Program, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501, (360) 902-2325. Contact by October 20, 1998. Expected proposal filing October 21, 1998.
June 19, 1998
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator