WSR 06-12-004

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Order 06-117 -- Filed May 25, 2006, 11:51 a.m. , effective May 25, 2006 ]


     Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

     Purpose: Amend personal use fishing rules.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-56-25500D; and amending WAC 220-56-255.

     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: There is sufficient quota remaining in Marine Areas 3 and 4 to allow for a two day recreational halibut 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     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: May 25, 2006.

J. P. Koenings

Director


NEW SECTION
WAC 220-56-25500E   Halibut -- Seasons -- Daily and possession limits.   (1) 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 from the areas or in excess of the amounts provided for in this section:

     (a) Catch Record Card Area 1 - Open until further notice. By-catch restriction: It is unlawful during any vessel trip to bring into port or land bottomfish except sablefish or Pacific Cod if the vessel has brought halibut into port or landed halibut during that trip.

     (b) Catch Record Card Area 2 - Closed.

     (c) Catch Record Card Areas 3 and 4 - Closed, except open 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. June 22, and 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. June 24, 2006. The following area southwest of Cape Flattery is closed to fishing for halibut at all times:

     Beginning at 48º18' N., 125º18' W.; thence to

     48º18'N., 124º59'W.; thence to

     48º11'N., 124º59'W.; thence to

     48º11'N., 125º11'W., thence to

     48º04'N., 125º11'W.; thence to

     48º04'N., 124º59'W.; thence to

     48ºN., 124º59'W.; thence to

     48ºN., 125º18'W.; thence to point of origin.

     (i) Effective immediately until further notice, on days when halibut fishing is closed in Catch Record Card Areas 3 and 4 it is unlawful to fish for or possess rockfish and lingcod seaward of a line approximating the 20-fathom depth contour as defined by the following coordinates:

     Beginning at the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, at 48º23.87'N; 124º44.17'W

     Then to 48º 23.60' N; 124º 44.90' W

     Then to 48º 19.10' N; 124º 43.40' W

     Then to 48º 18.20' N; 124º 46.40' W (intersection with 3-mile line)

     Then follow the 3-mile line south to the Queets River (47º 31.70' N)

     (d) Catch Record Card Areas 6 through 11 and Catch Record Area 13 - Open through June 18, 2006, except closed to fishing for halibut 12:01 a.m. of each Tuesday through 11:59 p.m. of each Wednesday.

     (e) Catch Record Card Area 5 - Open until further notice, except closed to fishing for halibut 12:01 a.m. of each Tuesday through 11:59 p.m. of each Wednesday.

     (f) Daily limit one halibut. The possession limit is two daily limits of halibut in any form, except the possession limit aboard the fishing vessel is one daily limit.

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REPEALER

     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 220-56-25500D Halibut seasons -- Daily and possession limits. (06-107)

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office