EMERGENCY RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Date of Adoption: June 22, 2000.
Purpose: Amend personal use fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-56-25500R; and amending WAC 220-56-255.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Section 7, chapter 107, Laws of 2000.
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 halibut quota for Marine Areas 3 and 4 increases by 7,000 pounds on July 1, 2000. Consultation with industry, federal officials and the International Pacific Halibut Commission indicates that sufficient quota exists to allow two days of halibut fishing. This action is necessary to conform with similar actions taken by the National Marine Fisheries Service and is in accordance with the provision of the Halibut Catch Sharing Plan. There is insufficient time to promulgate 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.
June 22, 2000
J. P. Koenings
Director
by Larry Peck
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-56-255, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to fish for or possess halibut taken for personal use except as provided for in this section:
(1) Marine Area 1: Open immediately until further notice. Minimum size 32 inches in length. The daily limit is the first halibut 32 inches in length or greater brought aboard the vessel.
(2) Marine Area 2: Closed until further notice.
(3) Marine Areas 3 and 4: Open 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. on July 1 and 4, 2000.
Except closed in those waters of a rectangle defined by the following four corners: 48°18'N, 125°11'W; 48°18'N, 124°59'W; 48°04'N, 125°11'W; 48°04'N, 124°59'W. The daily bag limit is one halibut with no length restrictions.
(4) Marine Areas 5 through 13: Open immediately through July 27, 2000, except closed 12:01 a.m. each Tuesday through 11:59 p.m. each Wednesday. The daily bag limit is one halibut with no length restrictions.
(5) Any halibut landed in a Washington port must meet the regulations in effect for the port of landing, regardless of area of catch. This provision does not apply to halibut lawfully caught in Canadian waters and landed at a port in Washington.
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The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
| WAC 220-56-25500R | Halibut -- Seasons -- Daily limits. (00-97) |