WSR 25-19-053
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-218—Filed September 10, 2025, 1:19 p.m., effective September 12, 2025]
Effective Date of Rule: September 12, 2025.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens commercial reef net seasons in Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Area 7.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-354-080 [220-354-180].
Under RCW
34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: The United States Fraser River Panel relinquished regulatory control of nontreaty commercial sockeye salmon fisheries in United States waters, including Puget Sound Marine Area 7, effective September 11, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., returning those fisheries to regulation by state rule. The additional release requirements are needed to minimize encounters and mortalities to sockeye, Chinook, and chum salmon in Marine Area 7. There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rules.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: September 10, 2025.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-354-18000NReef net open periods.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-354-180, effective September 12 through November 8, 2025, it is unlawful to take, fish for, or possess salmon taken with reef net gear for commercial purposes in Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas except as provided in this section, all other permanent rules including release and reporting requirements remain in effect:
| Area(s) | Date(s) | Open/Closed | Daily open period | |
| 7 | 9/12 - 11/8 | Open | 5:00 a.m. - 9 p.m. | |
(a) Landing and possession limit is 30 marked Chinook and 100 unmarked coho per license for the September 12-30 open period.
(b) Landing and possession limit is 100 marked coho per license for the October 1-November 8 open period.
(c) All retained and released Chinook and coho must be accounted for by marked status in the logbook.