EMERGENCY RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Date of Adoption: February 8, 2001.
Purpose: Amend commercial fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-52-07300H; and amending WAC 220-52-073.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 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: Harvestable amounts of sea urchins exist in the areas described. Red urchin fishing will be closed in the San Juan area because the non-Indian share has been taken. Prohibition of all diving within two days of scheduled sea urchin openings discourages the practice of fishing on closed days and hiding the unlawful catch underwater until the legal opening. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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.
February 8, 2001
J. P. Koenings
Director
by Larry Peck
(1) Green sea urchins: Sea Urchin Districts 3 and 4 are open only on February 12, 2001. Marine Fish/Shellfish Management and Catch Reporting Areas 26B, 26C, 26D, and 28A are open only on February 12, 13, and 14, 2001. The minimum size for green sea urchins is 2.25 inches in diameter exclusive of the spines.
(2) It is unlawful to dive for any purpose from a commercially-licensed fishing vessel, except vessels actively fishing geoducks under contract with the Washington Department of Natural Resources on Saturdays and Sundays of each week.
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The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
| WAC 220-52-07300H | Sea urchins. (01-14) |