WSR 25-19-102
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-223—Filed September 17, 2025, 11:01 a.m., effective September 18, 2025]
Effective Date of Rule: September 18, 2025.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens a commercial gillnet season in Willapa Bay commercial salmon Area 2U.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-354-250.
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: This emergency rule is needed to open the commercial fishery in Willapa Bay Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Area 2U on September 18, 2025. The catch for the Willapa Bay commercial fishery for Chinook has been lower than preseason predictions. The estimated preseason impacts for natural origin (NOR) Chinook to date for the season are 176 fish, or 58.8 percent of the preseason prediction for weeks 33-38 combined. The total harvest for Willapa Bay commercial hatchery Chinook is 3,527 fish to date, or 53.8 percent, of the preseason prediction through this week, statistical week 38.
The commercial fishery has harvested 5,963 coho, or 14.7 percent of the preseason prediction through this week, statistical week 38. Given the abundant coho that appear to be present in Willapa Bay this week and the remaining NOR Chinook impacts available, additional fishing time is being offered in [Area] 2U. The commercial fishery in this one-day opener will target additional coho available.
Managers will continue to assess the fishery each opener and make any changes if warranted. All other rules remain in effect.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 17, 2025.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-354-25000LWillapa Bay salmon fall fishery.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-354-250, the following seasons for Willapa Bay commercial salmon area 2U on September 18, 2025, shall be modified as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-354-250, not contained in this section remain in effect unless otherwise altered by emergency rule:
Gillnet gear may be used to fish for coho salmon, chum salmon, and adipose clipped Chinook salmon marked with a clipped adipose fin with a healed scar, during dates and times and in areas listed in the table below:
Area | Time | Date | Maximum Mesh Size |
2U | 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. | September 18, 2025 | 6.5" |