Subject of Possible Rule Making: Commercial fishing rules for squid fishing in Puget Sound.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.04.012.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: A management plan for squid is being developed in conjunction with tribal governments. One aspect of the plan is to modify the types of fishing gear, which may be used to harvest squid in Puget Sound. Currently, several types of fishing gear are authorized but seldom if ever used. The proposed rule would reduce the number of authorized gear types to improve management of the squid resource.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other state or federal agencies regulate the gears, which may be used to harvest squid in Puget Sound. The department is coordinating with several tribal governments to develop these rule changes.

     Process for Developing New Rule:      Agency study; and advisory board recommendations.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Greg Bargmann, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501, (360) 902-2825, fax (360) 902-2944. A public meeting to receive comments on these matters will be held April 11-12, 2003, in Moses Lake, Washington. Interested persons can contact the Fish and Wildlife Commission at (360) 902-2267 to obtain meeting details. Contact before March 1, 2003, expected proposal filing March 4, 2003.

December 13, 2002

Evan Jacoby

Rules Coordinator

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