PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial fishing gear design.
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: Canary rockfish stocks are severely depressed. These fish are taken as by-catch in the pink shrimp trawl fishery, and in order to allow this fishery to continue, it is necessary to require finfish excluder devices.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Pacific Fisheries Management Council make quota recommendations. The department is working with the council on this issue.
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 Lew Atkins, Fish Program Assistant Director, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 989501-1091 [98501-1091], phone (360) 902-2651.
Contact by March 5, 2002, expected proposal filing March 6, 2002.
December 21, 2001
Evan Jacoby
Rules Coordinator