WSR 26-08-034
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-43—Filed March 24, 2026, 3:56 p.m., effective April 2, 2026]
Effective Date of Rule: April 2, 2026.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens recreational halibut seasons in Marine Areas 5-10.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-314-030.
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 revises state rules to conform to federal regulations. Halibut catch will continue to be closely monitored by the department of fish and wildlife staff; seasons may close earlier if quotas are achieved. Halibut seasons are open only by emergency rule (see WAC 220-314-040(1)).
Additionally, this rule is necessary to allow halibut legally retained in Catch Record Card Area 5 to be landed into port within Catch Record Card Area 4 on days when halibut fishing is closed in Area 4; and allows retention of sablefish in waters seaward of the 120-foot bottomfish closure in Marine Area 5 on days open for halibut. This will support in prosecution of an orderly fishery by avoiding unnecessary enforcement action.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: March 24, 2026.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-314-03000YHalibut—Seasons—Daily and possession limits.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-314-030, and 220-314-010, effective April 2 through June 30, 2026, it is unlawful to fish for or possess halibut taken for personal use, except as provided in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-314-030, and WAC 220-314-010, including Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Areas (YRCA), not addressed in this section, remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
(1) Marine Areas 5 through 10:
(a) Halibut open April 2 through June 30, 2026.
(b) Anglers may fish for, retain, and possess sablefish in Marine Area 5 seaward of the 120-foot bottomfish closure described by WAC 220-314-010 (2)(a) on days the halibut fishery is open in Marine Area 5.
(2) Marine Areas 11, 12 and 13: Halibut closed.
(3) It is unlawful to fish for, retain, possess, or land halibut into a port located within an area that is closed to halibut fishing, except it is lawful to land halibut into a port within Marine Area 4, that were lawfully retained in Marine Area 5.
(4) Halibut caught in Canadian waters may be landed into a port located within a marine area that is closed to halibut fishing. See WAC 220-310-210 for rules on Canadian-origin halibut possession.
(5) The annual limit is six halibut taken from state or offshore waters. This does not include Canadian waters; see WAC 220-310-210 for limits on Canadian-origin halibut.