PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Declaration of an emerging commercial fishery for red rock crab in Puget Sound.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 77.65.400.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Commercial interest in harvesting the red rock crab was presented to the fish and wildlife commission and the commission instructed the department to look into the potential for such a commercial fishery development. Under such an approach, an experimental fishery that limits participation will develop the information as to whether this concept has potential for long-term commercial viability.
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 Lew Atkins, Fish Program Assistant Director, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98504-1091, phone (360) 902-2651. Contact by August 28, 2007. Expected proposal filing on or after August 31, 2007.
July 12, 2007
Loreva M. Preuss
Rules Coordinator