WSR 99-03-054
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 99-03--Filed January 16, 1999, 11:25 a.m.]
Date of Adoption: January 14, 1999.
Purpose: Commercial fishing regulations.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-52-07300J; and amending WAC 220-52-073.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 75.08.080.
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. Prohibition of all diving within two days of scheduled green 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, amended 0, repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.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.
January 14, 1999
Jeff P. Koenings
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-52-07300K Sea urchins Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-52-073, effective immediately until further notice, it is unlawful to take or possess sea urchins taken for commercial purposes except as provided for in this section:
(1) Green sea urchins: Sea Urchin Districts 3 and 4 are open only on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays of each week. 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.
(3) All shellfish diver gear rules in WAC 220-52-073 remain in effect.
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REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 220-52-07300J Sea urchins. (98-262)