WSR 25-21-011
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-242—Filed October 2, 2025, 2:50 p.m., effective October 8, 2025]
Effective Date of Rule: October 8, 2025.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens Puget Sound purse seine test fisheries.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-354-120.
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 allow purse seine vessels, fishing vessel (F/V) Harbor Gem, F/V Lisa Marie, and F/V Tradition to conduct test fisheries in the waters of Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 9, 10, and 11. These test fisheries are necessary to collect genetic stock identification data and inform the in-season update models; and have been agreed to by comanagers. This information is necessary to sustainably manage Puget Sound chum fisheries. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 2, 2025.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-354-12000EPuget Sound salmon—Purse seine—Open periods.
Effective October 8 through November 19, 2025, purse seine vessels F/V Harbor Gem, F/V Lisa Marie, and F/V Tradition may carry out purse seine test fishery operations within Puget Sound Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 9, 10 and 11.
(1) Allowed fishing period is from October 8 through November 19, 2025.
(2) Area 11: Only chum salmon may be retained. All other salmon species must be released. WDFW staff must be onboard vessel while fishing.
(3) Areas 9 and 10 Apple Cove Test Fishery: Administered by Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission staff. All salmon species may be retained.
(4) Weekly schedule by Area and vessel:
| Week | F/V Harbor Gem Apple Cove/Kingston; Areas 9 and 10 | F/V Tradition Command Point; Area 11; West Pass | F/V Lisa Marie Point Beals; Area 11; East Pass | |
| 41 | Wed 10/8/2025 | | | |
| 42 | Wed 10/15/2025 | Wed 10/15/2025 | Wed 10/15/2025 | |
| 43 | Wed 10/22/2025 | Wed 10/22/2025 | Wed 10/22/2025 | |
| 44 | Wed 10/29/2025 | Wed 10/29/2025 | Wed 10/29/2025 | |
| 45 | Wed 11/05/2025 | Wed 11/05/2025 | Wed 11/05/2025 | |
| 46 | Wed 11/12/2025 | Wed 11/12/2025 | Wed 11/12/2025 | |
| 47 | Wed 11/19/2025 | | | |