[Order 26-53—Filed April 13, 2026, 2:20 p.m., effective May 8, 2026]

Effective Date of Rule: May 8, 2026.

Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open Puget Sound recreational shrimp harvest.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-330-070.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047.

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 regulation is needed to ensure an orderly fishery, manage the fishery within court-ordered sharing requirements, and meet conservation objectives. Harvestable amounts of spot shrimp are available, but recreational shares will only support a limited number of open days in the marine areas listed in this section. In addition, this emergency regulation opens the seasons in Marine Areas 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, 5, 6, and 7 one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset, which is the default daily start time and end time for those areas. Marine Areas 9, 10 outside Elliott Bay, 10 inside Elliott Bay, and 13 will remain closed to spot shrimp harvest for conservation reasons. The potential for opening Marine Area 11 is currently under evaluation. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: April 13, 2026.

WAC 220-330-07000IShrimp—Areas and seasons.

Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-330-070, effective May 8, 2026, until further notice, it is unlawful to fish for or possess shrimp taken for personal use in all waters of Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and the Discovery Bay Shrimp District, except as provided for in this section:

(1) Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line) and 5: Open daily for all shrimp species beginning May 24, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset, until further notice.

(2) Marine Area 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District): Open for all shrimp species from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset on May 24, May 26, June 7 through 8, June 21 through 22.

(3) Discovery Bay Shrimp District: Open for all shrimp species May 24 from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.

(4) Marine Area 7 South: Open for all shrimp species from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset on May 24, May 26, and June 7 through 8.

(5) Marine Area 7 East: Open for all shrimp species from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset on May 24, May 26, and June 7 through 8.

(6) Marine Area 7 West: Open for all shrimp species from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset on May 24, May 26, June 7 through 8, June 21 through 22, and July 18 through 20.

(7) Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2:

(a) Open for all shrimp species on June 8 and June 22 from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m..

(b) Divers may take shrimp by hand or hand-held device from 7:00 p.m. until midnight on June 8 and June 22 in Marine Area 8-2.

(8) Marine Area 9: Will remain closed.

(9) Marine Area 10 (inside Elliott Bay): That portion of Marine Area 10 east of a line drawn from West Point to Alki Point will remain closed.

(10) Marine Area 10 (outside Elliott Bay): That portion of Marine Area 10 west of a line drawn from West Point to Alki Point will remain closed.

(11) Marine Area 11: Closed until further notice.

(12) Marine Area 12: Open for all shrimp species May 10, May 24, May 26, June 7, and June 21 from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m..

(13) Marine Area 13: Will remain closed.

Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.