WSR 19-10-059
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Filed April 30, 2019, 9:22 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 220-340-430 Buoy tag, pot tag, and buoy requirements, 220-340-435 Shellfish pot requirements, 220-340-440 Commercial crab gear—Possession of another's gear and tag tampering, 220-340-450 Commercial crab fishery—Seasons and areas—Coastal, 220-340-480 Commercial crab fishery—Gear limits—Coastal, and 220-340-490 Commercial crab fishery—Coastal gear recovery permits.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Changes to coastal commercial Dungeness crab rules are needed to implement regulatory measures that will reduce the risk of crab pot gear entanglements with humpback whales.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Coastal commercial Dungeness crab is managed by the Washington department of fish and wildlife but includes management coordination with Oregon and California through the Tri-State Dungeness Crab Committee, which is facilitated under the umbrella of the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. The Tri-State Dungeness Crab Committee does not have regulatory authority but will be notified regarding changes that affect Oregon and California.
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 Heather Hall, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504-3200, phone 360-902-2487, email Heather.Hall@dfw.wa.gov.
April 29, 2019
Scott Bird
Rules Coordinator