WSR 01-11-087

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Order 01-85 -- Filed May 16, 2001, 1:09 p.m. ]

Date of Adoption: May 15, 2001.

Purpose: Amend personal use fishing rules.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-56-145.

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: The north coast halibut quota is managed on a poundage basis that uses a conversion from total halibut length to weight. If the halibut fillets become disassociated from the carcass, it may result in an inaccurate length/weight ratio, with a potential for over harvest of halibut stocks. This rule will allow for a more accurate determination of the total amount of halibut taken. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0. Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

May 15, 2001

J. P. Koenings

Director


NEW SECTION
WAC 220-56-14500A   Possession of halibut.   Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-56-145, effective immediately until further notice it is unlawful to land halibut caught in U.S. waters ashore unless the halibut fisher lands the halibut carcass in such condition that the total length of each halibut carcass can be determined. Halibut may be cleaned and filleted, but the intact carcass must be landed whole.

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