WSR 17-01-085
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 16-322—Filed December 16, 2016, 9:28 a.m., effective January 16, 2017]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: The department has adopted recreational fishing rules in saltwater areas of Washington state to meet conservation objectives and provide fishing opportunity within those conservation objectives.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-56-312, 220-56-340, 220-56-385, 220-56-400, 220-56-405, 220-56-410 and 220-56-415; and amending WAC 220-12-010, 220-16-265, 220-56-115, 220-56-310, 220-56-315, 220-56-317, 220-56-325, 220-56-330, 220-56-335, 220-56-336, 220-56-355 and 220-56-390; and new WAC 220-20-011.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, and 77.12.047.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 16-19-059 on September 19, 2016.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: WAC 220-56-320 was withdrawn on December 13, 2016, and filed as WSR 17-01-040.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 13, Amended 0, Repealed 7.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: December 9, 2016
Brad Smith, Chair
Fish and Wildlife Commission
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 12-09-046, filed 4/13/12, effective 5/14/12)
WAC 220-12-010 Food fish—Classification.
The following species are classified as food fish under RCW 77.12.047 and are subject to the provisions of this title:
Barracuda
Pacific barracuda
 
Sphyraena argentea
Cyprinids
Carp
 
Cyprinus carpio
Cods and hake
Pacific hake or whiting
 
Merluccius productus
Walleye pollock
 
((Theragra chalcogrammus))
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pacific Tomcod
 
Microgadus proximus
Pacific Cod or true cod
 
((Gadusmacrocephalus))
Gadus macrocephalus
Flounder, sole and halibut
Butter sole or Bellingham sole
 
Isopsetta isolepis
C-O sole
 
Pleuronichtys coenosus
Dover sole
 
Microstomus pacificus
English sole
 
Parophrys vetulus
Flathead sole
 
Hippoglossoides elassodon
Pacific halibut
 
Hippoglossus stenolepis
Petrale sole
 
Eopsetta jordani
Rex sole
 
Glyptocephalus zachirus
Northern rock sole
 
Lepidopsetta polyxystra
Southern rock sole
 
Lepidopsetta bilineata
Pacific sand dab
 
Citharichthys sordidus
Sand sole
 
Psettichthys melanostictus
Slender sole
 
Lyopsetta exilis
Speckled sand dab
 
Citharichthys stigmaeus
Starry flounder
 
Platichthys stellatus
Turbot or Arrowtooth flounder
 
Atheresthes stomias
All other species of sole and flounder
 
(Pleuronectiformes)
Giant wrymouth
 
Delolepsis gigantea
Greenling
Lingcod
 
Ophiodon elongatus
Rock greenling
 
Hexagrammos superciliosus
Kelp greenling
 
Hexagrammos decagrammus
All other species of greenling
 
(Hexagrammidae)
Herring and herring-like fishes
Northern anchovy
 
Engraulis mordax
Pacific sand lance or candlefish
 
Ammodytes ((hexapterus)) personatus
Pacific herring
 
Clupea ((harengus pallasi)) pallasii
Pacific sardine or pilchard
 
Sardinops sagax
American shad
 
Alosa sapidissima
Mackerels, tunas and jacks
(carangids)
Pacific bonito
 
Sarda chiliensis
Pacific mackerel
 
Scomber japonicus
Jack mackerel
 
Trachurus symmetricus
Monterey Spanish mackerel
 
Scomberomorus concolor
Spanish mackerel
 
Scomberomorus maculatus
Yellowtail
 
Seriola dorsalis
Albacore
 
Thunnus alalunga
Bluefin tuna
 
Thunnus thynnus
Skipjack tuna
 
Euthynnus pelamis
Yellowfin tuna
 
Thunnus albacares
All other species of tunas and mackerels
 
(Scombridae)
Pacific pomfret
 
Brama japonica
Pacific pompano
 
Peprilus simillimus
Plainfin midshipman
 
Parichthys notatus
Ratfish
 
Hydrolagus colliei
Rattails, all species
 
(Coryphaenoididae)
Skates
Longnose skate
Big skate
All other species of skates
 
Raja rhina
Raja binoculata
(((Rajidae)))
(Rajiformes)
Rockfish
Bocaccio
 
Sebastes paucispinis
Black rockfish
 
Sebastes melanops
Brown rockfish
 
Sebastes auriculatus
Copper rockfish
 
Sebastes caurinus
Greenstriped rockfish
 
Sebastes elongatus
Canary rockfish
 
Sebastes pinniger
Pacific Ocean perch
 
Sebastes alutus
Yelloweye or rasphead rockfish
 
Sebastes ruberrimus
Rosefish or splitnose rockfish
 
Sebastes diploproa
Sebastes brevispinis
Silvergray rockfish
 
Sebastes maliger
Quillback rockfish
 
Sebastes flavidus
Yellowtail rockfish
 
(Scorpaenidae)
All other species of rockfish Sablefish
 
Anoplopoma fimbria
Salmon
Chinook or King salmon (except in its landlocked form as defined in WAC 232-12-018)
 
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Chum or dog salmon
 
Oncorhynchus keta
Pink or humpback
 
Oncorhynchus gorbuscha
Coho or silver (except in its landlocked form as defined in WAC 232-12-018)
 
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Sockeye or blue back
 
Oncorhynchus nerka
Masu
 
Oncorhynchus masu
Atlantic salmon (except in its landlocked form)
 
Salmo salar
Sculpins
Brown Irish lord
 
Hemilepidotus spinosus
Buffalo sculpin
 
Enophrys bison
Cabezon
 
Scorpaenichthys marmoratus
Great sculpin
 
Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus
Pacific Staghorn sculpin
 
Leptocottus armatus
Red Irish lord
 
Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus
Seabass and drums
White seabass
 
Cynoscion nobilis
All other seabass and drums
 
(Sciaenidae and Serranidae)
Sharks
Sixgill shark
 
Hexanchus griseus
Soupfin or tope shark
 
Galeorhinus ((zyopterus)) galeus
Dogfish or spiny dogfish
 
Squalus ((acanthias)) suckleyi
All other species of sharks
 
(((Squaliformes and Hexanchiformes)))
(Selachimorpha)
Smelts
Eulachon or Columbia River smelt
 
Thaleichthys pacificus
Longfin smelt
 
Spirinchus ((dilatus)) thaleichthys
Surf smelt
 
Hypomesus pretiosus
All other species of smelt
 
(Osmeridae)
Sturgeons
Green sturgeon
 
Acipenser medirostris
White sturgeon
 
Acipenser transmontanus
Surfperches
Blue perch or striped seaperch
 
Embiotoca lateralis
Kelp perch
 
Brachyistius frenatus
Redtail surfperch
 
Amphistichus rhodoterus
Shiner perch
 
Cymatogaster aggregata
Pile perch
 
Rhacochilus vacca
Walleye surfperch
 
Hyperprosopon argenteum
White seaperch
 
Phanerodon furcatus
All other species of perch
 
(Embiotocidae)
Wolf-eel
 
Anarrhichthys ocellatus
Hagfishes
Pacific hagfish
 
Eptatretus stouti
Black hagfish
 
Eptatretus deani
Other
Opah
 
Lampris guttatus
Swordfish
 
Xiphias gladius
Striped marlin
 
Kajikia audax
Dolphinfish
 
Coryphaena hippurus
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending Order 817, filed 5/29/69)
WAC 220-16-265 Geographical definitions((Lopez Island shrimp fishing area)) Marine Area 7 shrimp fishing subareas.
(("Lopez Island shrimp fish area" shall include those waters of Puget Sound lying inside and southerly of a line projected from Spencer Spit on Lopez Island to Fauntleroy Point on Decatur Island and a line projected from Decatur Light across Lopez Pass to the nearest point of Lopez Island.)) (1) Marine Area 7 South: The portion of Marine Area 7 south of a line from Biz Point on Fidalgo Island to Cape Saint Mary on Lopez Island, then south of a line from Davis Point on Lopez Island to Cattle Point on San Juan Island, then south of a line projected due west from Lime Kiln Point light to the international boundary.
(2) Marine Area 7 West: The portion of Marine Area 7 north of a line from Davis Point on Lopez Island to Cattle Point on San Juan Island, then north of a line due west from Lime Kiln Point light to the international boundary, then west of a line from the bell buoy at the international boundary to Point Doughty on Orcas Island, then west of a line projected true north and south from the western tip of Crane Island, then west of a line projected from the southern tip of Shaw Island to the number 2 buoy at the entrance to Fisherman Bay.
(3) Marine Area 7 East: The portion of Marine Area 7 north of a line from Biz Point on Fidalgo Island to Cape Saint Mary on Lopez Island, then east of a line projected from the number 2 buoy at the entrance to Fisherman Bay to the southern tip of Shaw Island, then east of a line projected true north and south from the western tip of Crane Island, then east of a line from Point Doughty on Orcas Island to the bell buoy at the international boundary.
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-20-011 Food fish and shellfish taken by another.
It is unlawful to possess food fish or shellfish taken during the open season by another fisher unless it is accompanied by a statement which shows the name, address, fishing license or document number and signature of the taker, and the date, county or marine area where taken.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 15-11-042, filed 5/14/15, effective 6/14/15)
WAC 220-56-115 Angling gearLawful and unlawful acts.
(1) It is unlawful for any person to use more than one line while angling for personal use, except:
(a) Anglers in possession of a valid two-pole endorsement may use up to two lines while fishing in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs open to fishing unless listed as an exception in WAC 220-55-220. Anglers in possession of a valid two-pole endorsement may use up to two lines while fishing in rivers and marine areas as noted in WAC 220-55-220 and 220-310-175 through 220-310-200.
(b) A second line using forage fish jigger gear is permissible while fishing in Catch Record Card Areas 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, ((12,)) and 13.
(c) When fishing outside 3 miles from shore in Pacific Ocean waters for tuna species, anglers are not restricted on the number of rods or lines fished per angler, provided that no other species are possessed onboard the vessel. A violation of this subsection is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160, Infractions.
(2) It is unlawful for any person to take, fish for, or possess fish taken for personal use by any means other than angling with a line attached to a pole held in hand while landing the fish or with a hand-operated line without rod or reel, except:
(a) It is unlawful to fish for or possess salmon taken for personal use with hand lines in marine waters of Puget Sound east of the mouth of the Sekiu River and in Washington waters at the mouth of the Columbia River east of a line projected true north and south through Buoy 10, Grays Harbor, and Willapa Bay.
(b) It is permissible to leave a pole in a pole holder while playing or landing the fish if the pole is capable of being readily removed from the pole holder.
(c) It is permissible to use an electric power-operated reel designed for sport fishing attached to a pole.
(3) It is unlawful for any person while angling to fail to keep his angling gear under his or her direct and immediate physical control.
(4) In areas where a saltwater license is valid, each fisher aboard a vessel may continue to deploy angling gear or shellfish gear until the daily limit of food fish or shellfish for all licensed anglers and juvenile anglers aboard has been retained.
(5) In Catch Record Card Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line and Areas 5 through 13: It is unlawful for any person to take, fish for, or possess bottomfish or halibut taken for personal use, to fail to have onboard the vessel a fish descending or fish recompression device, rigged for immediate use, and capable of rapidly returning fish to depth of capture.
(6) A violation of this section is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160, unless the person has harvested fish or shellfish. If the person has harvested fish or shellfish, the violation is punishable under RCW 77.15.380, Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degreePenalty, unless the fish or shellfish are taken in the amounts or manner to constitute a violation of RCW 77.15.370, Unlawful recreational fishing in the first degreePenalty.
(((6))) (7) It is unlawful to possess fish or shellfish taken with gear in violation of the provisions of this section. Possession of fish or shellfish while using gear in violation of the provisions of this section is a rebuttable presumption that the fish or shellfish were taken with such gear. Possession of such fish or shellfish is punishable under RCW 77.15.380, Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degreePenalty, unless the fish or shellfish are taken in the amounts or manner to constitute a violation of RCW 77.15.370, Unlawful recreational fishing in the first degreePenalty.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-19-007, filed 9/5/13, effective 10/6/13)
WAC 220-56-310 ShellfishDaily limits.
It is unlawful for any one person to possess at any time more than one daily limit of fresh shellfish. Additional shellfish may be possessed in a frozen or processed form. It is unlawful for any one person to take more than the following quantities and sizes of shellfish for personal use in any one day:
(1) Cockles, borers and clams in the shell, other than razor clams, geoduck clams and horse clams, 40 clams total, or 10 pounds, whichever is achieved first ((except:
(a) In Skagit Bay, east of a line projected from Browns Point to Swinomish Slough entrance: Diggers may additionally retain up to 20 pounds of eastern softshell clams in the shell.
(b) In Willapa Bay: Diggers may additionally retain up to 24 cockles)).
(2) Razor clams: 15 clams.
(3) Geoduck clams: 3 clams.
(4) Horse clams: 7 clams.
(5) Oysters: 18 oysters((, shucked and the shells left on the beach)). Minimum size before shucking two and one-half inches along the longest dimension of the shell.
(6) Rock scallops: 6 scallops.
(7) Weathervane scallops: 12 scallops (over 4 inches).
(8) Spiny and pink scallops: 10 pounds or 5 quarts in the shell, in the aggregate.
(9) Shrimp:
(a) In Areas 1 through 3 and Area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line: Total weight 25 pounds, maximum 200 spot shrimp as part of the 25-pound limit.
(b) In Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line and Areas 5 through 13: First Saturday in May through May 31, daily limit 80 shrimp; during all other open periods total weight 10 pounds, maximum 80 spot shrimp as part of the 10-pound limit.
(10) Pinto abalone: Closed statewide.
(11) Crawfish: 10 pounds in the shell. Minimum size 3 1/4 inches from tip of rostrum to tip of tail. Female crawfish with eggs or young attached to the abdomen must be released immediately.
(12) Sea cucumbers: 25 sea cucumbers.
(13) Red sea urchins: 18 sea urchins.
(14) Purple sea urchins: 18 sea urchins.
(15) Green sea urchins: 36 sea urchins.
(16) Dungeness crab:
(a) In Area 1 except when fishing from the north jetty of the Columbia River and Areas 2, 3, and 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line - 6 male crab.
(b) In Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, and Areas 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 - 5 male crabs.
(c) In the Columbia River upstream of a line from the outermost end of the north jetty to the exposed end of the south jetty, or when fishing from the north jetty of the Columbia River - 12 male crab.
(17) Red rock crab: 6 crab.
(18) Mussels: 10 pounds in the shell, in the aggregate.
(19) Goose barnacles: 10 pounds of whole barnacles or 5 pounds of barnacle stalks.
(20) Ghost and mud shrimp: 10 dozen.
(21) King and box crab: Closed statewide.
(22) Tanner crab: 6 crab.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 14-01-056, filed 12/12/13, effective 1/12/14)
WAC 220-56-315 Personal use crab, shrimp, crawfishUnlawful acts.
(1) It is unlawful to take and possess crab, shrimp, and crawfish taken for personal use except by hand or with hand dip nets, ring nets, shellfish pots, or any hand-operated instrument that will not penetrate the shell. A violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor, punishable under RCW 77.15.380 or 77.15.382 depending on the circumstances of the violation.
(2) It is unlawful to set, fish, or pull more than 2 units of gear per person at any one time, unless otherwise provided in this subsection. A unit of gear is defined as a hand dip net, shellfish pot, ring net or any other instrument used to capture crab, shrimp, or crawfish. A violation of this subsection is punishable under RCW 77.15.160, Infractions, or RCW 77.15.380, Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degreePenalty, depending on the circumstances of the violation.
(a) In Puget Sound waters, it is unlawful to set, fish, or pull at any one time more than 2 units of crab gear and 2 additional units of shrimp gear per person.
(b) In Catch Record Card Areas 4 through 13, it is unlawful for the operator of any boat from which shrimp pots are set, fished, or pulled to have on board or to fish more than 4 shrimp pots.
(c) In the Columbia River, it is unlawful to set, fish, or pull more than 3 units of crab gear per person.
(d) In fresh water, it is permissible to use up to 5 units of gear per person to fish for crawfish.
(3) It is unlawful for any person to operate a shellfish pot not attached to a buoy bearing that person's name, except that a second person may assist the pot owner in operation of the gear. A violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor, punishable under RCW 77.15.382, Unlawful use of shellfish gear for personal use purposesPenalty.
(4) It is unlawful to salvage or attempt to salvage shellfish pot gear from Hood Canal that has been lost, unless the person first obtains a permit issued by the director, authorizing that activity. A violation is punishable under RCW 77.15.180, Unlawful interference with fishing or hunting gearPenalty. It is unlawful to fail to comply with all provisions of a permit authorizing the salvage of gear from Hood Canal. A violation of this subsection is RCW 77.15.750, Unlawful use of a department permitPenalty.
(5) It is unlawful to dig for or possess ghost or mud shrimp taken for personal use by any method except hand operated suction devices or dug by hand. A violation of this subsection is punishable under RCW 77.15.160, Infractions, or RCW 77.15.380, Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degreePenalty, depending on the circumstances of the violation.
(6) It is unlawful to have more than one unit of unattended gear attached to a buoy line or to fail to have a separate buoy for each unit of gear. "One unit of gear" means one ring net or one shellfish pot. A violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor, punishable under RCW 77.15.382, Unlawful use of shellfish gear for personal use purposesPenalty.
(7) In waters open only on certain days or certain hours during the day, except for those waters affected by the night closure set out in subsection (8) of this section, it is unlawful to fail to remove gear from the water if fishing for shellfish is not allowed. It is also unlawful to fail to remove gear from the water within one hour after sunset if fishing is not allowed on the next calendar day. In waters that are open continuously, except for those waters affected by the night closure set out in subsection (8) of this section, gear may be left in the water during a night closure. A violation of this subsection is punishable under RCW 77.15.160, Infractions, or RCW 77.15.380, Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degreePenalty, depending on the circumstances of the violation.
(8) It is unlawful to set or pull shellfish pots, ring nets or star traps from a vessel in Catch Record Card Areas 1-13 from one hour after official sunset to one hour before official sunrise. A violation of this subsection is punishable under RCW 77.15.160, Infractions, or RCW 77.15.380, Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degreePenalty, depending on the circumstances of the violation.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 12-23-016, filed 11/9/12, effective 12/10/12)
WAC 220-56-317 Personal use shrimp pot gear requirements.
(1) All buoys attached to shrimp gear must be yellow or fluorescent yellow in color. Flags and staff, if attached, may be any color.
(2) It is unlawful to take, fish for, or possess shrimp taken for personal use with shellfish pot gear unless the gear meets the following requirements:
(a) A shrimp pot may not exceed 10 feet in perimeter and 1-1/2 feet in height.
(b) The entire top, bottom, and sides of the shrimp pot must be constructed of mesh material (no liners allowed), except the entrance tunnels must have the minimum mesh opening size specified in subsection (2)(((c))) (g) of this section.
(c) ((The minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is one inch, defined as a mesh that a 7/8 inch square peg will pass through each mesh opening. Flexible (web) mesh pots must have an opening with a mesh size of a minimum of 1-3/4 inch stretch measure.
June 1 through October 15, Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, and Areas 5 through 13:
(i) In any Marine Area or portion thereof that is closed for spot shrimp but open for coonstripe and pink shrimp, the minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is 1/2-inch.
(ii) 1/2-inch mesh is defined as mesh that a 3/8-inch square peg will pass through each mesh opening, except for flexible (web) mesh pots where the opening must be a minimum of 1-1/8 inch stretch measure.
(d) All entrance tunnels must open into the pot from the side.
(e) The sum of the maximum widths of all entrance tunnels must not exceed half of the perimeter of the bottom of the pot.)) All entrance tunnels must open into the pot from the side.
(d) The sum of the maximum widths of all entrance tunnels must not exceed half of the perimeter of the bottom of the pot.
(e) Half-inch mesh is defined as mesh that a 3/8-inch square peg will pass through each mesh opening (except for the entrance tunnels which can be any size mesh material); flexible (web) mesh pots must have mesh size openings that are a minimum of 1-1/8 inch stretch measure.
(f) One inch mesh is defined as a mesh that a 7/8-inch square peg will pass through each mesh opening (except for the entrance tunnels which can be any size mesh material); flexible (web) mesh pots must have mesh size openings that are a minimum of 1-3/4 inch stretch measure.
(g) The minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is:
(i) Year-round, Marine Areas 1-3 and 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line:
(A) Shoreward of 20 fathoms, the minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is 1/2-inch.
(B) Seaward of 20 fathoms, the minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is 1 inch.
(ii) May 1 through October 15, Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, and Areas 5 through 13, the minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is 1 inch, with the following exception: June 1 through October 15, in any Marine Area or portion thereof that is closed for spot shrimp but open for coonstripe and pink shrimp, the minimum mesh size for shrimp pots is 1/2-inch.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 07-05-051, filed 2/16/07, effective 3/19/07)
WAC 220-56-325 Shrimp—Areas and seasons.
It is unlawful to fish for or possess shrimp taken for personal use from the following areas, except as otherwise provided in this section:
(1) ((Discovery Bay Shrimp District and Marine Areas 8, 9, 10 and 11 - Open 7:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m., beginning the first Saturday in May through May 31 and open only on Wednesday and Saturday of each week except it is lawful for divers to take shrimp by hand or hand-held device from 7:00 p.m. until midnight on any open day in May in Marine Area 8-2;
(2) Hood Canal Shrimp District - Open 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m., the first Saturday in May through May 31 and open only on Wednesday and Saturday of each week;
(3) Marine Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line and Marine Areas 5, 6, 7 and 13, except for Shrimp Districts - Open 7:00 a.m. the first Saturday in May through May 31 and open daily except open only Wednesday through Saturday in Marine Area 7.
(4) Beginning June 1 through October 15 in Marine Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line and Areas 5 through 13, shrimp fishing is open daily except closed in Area 10 and the shrimp districts at all times. Unlawful to retain spot shrimp.
(5))) It is unlawful to fish for or possess shrimp taken for personal use in Marine Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line and Marine Areas 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 except as provided by emergency rule.
(2) Marine Areas 1 through 3 and Marine Area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line - Open year-round.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 12-23-016, filed 11/9/12, effective 12/10/12)
WAC 220-56-330 Crab—Areas and seasons—Personal use.
(1) It is unlawful to fish for or possess crab taken for personal use from Puget Sound except during the following seasons:
(a) Marine Area 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, and Areas 5, 6, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13: Open 7:00 a.m., July 1 through Labor Day, Thursday through Monday of each week.
(b) Those waters of Marine Area 7 south and west of a line projected from Village Point, Lummi Island, through the navigation buoy just east of Matia Island, thence to the buoy at Clements Reef, thence to the easternmost point of Patos Island, thence running along the northern shore of Patos Island to the westernmost point of Patos Island, thence ((due)) true west to the international boundary and south of a line that extends from Point Francis on Portage Island, through the marker just north of Inati Bay on Lummi Island to Lummi Island: Open 7:00 a.m., July 15 through September 30, Thursday through Monday of each week.
(c) Those waters of Marine Area 7 north and east of a line projected from Village Point, Lummi Island through the navigation buoy just east of Matia Island thence to the buoy at Clements Reef thence to the easternmost point of Patos Island, running along the northern shoreline of Patos Island and from the westernmost point of Patos Island ((due)) true west to the international boundary and north of a line that extends from Point Francis on Portage Island, through the marker just north of Inati Bay on Lummi Island to Lummi Island: Open 7:00 a.m. August 15 through September 30, Thursday through Monday of each week.
(2) It is unlawful to fish for or possess crab taken for personal use with shellfish pot gear from Marine Areas 1, 2, 3, and Area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line except during the period from December 1 through September 15. Open to gear other than shellfish pot gear year-round.
(3) The Columbia River upstream from a line projected from the outermost end of the north jetty to the exposed end of the south jetty is open to crab fishing for personal use year-round.
(4) It is unlawful to fish for or possess crab taken for personal use with shellfish pot or ring net gear from the waters of Padilla Bay or Swinomish Slough within 25 yards of the Burlington Northern Railroad crossing the northern end of Swinomish Slough except from one hour before official sunrise to one hour after official sunset.
(5) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor, punishable under RCW 77.15.380, Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree—Penalty.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 12-23-016, filed 11/9/12, effective 12/10/12)
WAC 220-56-335 Crab—Unlawful acts—Personal use.
(1) It is unlawful for any person to take or possess any female Dungeness crab for personal use.
(2) It is unlawful to take or possess any male Dungeness crabs taken for personal use measuring less than the following caliper measurements:
(a) In Puget Sound (all contiguous waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh Line) - 6 1/4 inch minimum size.
(b) In coastal waters west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh Line, Pacific Ocean waters except when fishing from the north jetty of the Columbia River, Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay - 6 inch minimum size.
(c) In the Columbia River upstream of a line from the outermost end of the north jetty to the exposed end of the south jetty, and when fishing from the north jetty of the Columbia River - 5 3/4 inch minimum size.
(3) It is unlawful to take or possess any red rock crab taken for personal use that measure less than 5 inches. Either sex may be retained.
(4) It is unlawful to take or possess any tanner crab taken for personal use that measure less than 4 1/2 inches. Either sex may be retained.
(5) All crab measurements must be made at the widest part of the shell (caliper measurement) immediately in front of the points (tips).
(((5))) (6) It is unlawful to possess in the field any crab or crab parts without also retaining the back shell.
(((6))) (7) It is unlawful to possess soft-shelled crab for any personal use purpose. Violation of this subsection is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 97-07-078, filed 3/19/97, effective 5/1/97)
WAC 220-56-336 Crawfish, abalone, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, goose barnacles—Areas and seasons, personal use fishery.
((The open season for crawfish is the first Monday in May through October 31.)) (1) Crawfish: The open season for crawfish is the first Monday in May through October 31.
(2) Abalone: It is unlawful to fish for or possess abalone taken for personal use the entire year.
(3) Sea urchins: It is lawful to fish for sea urchins for personal use the entire year. It shall be lawful to take, fish for and possess sea urchins for personal use with any hand-operated instrument which does not penetrate the shell.
(4) Sea cucumbers: It is lawful to fish for sea cucumbers for personal use the entire year except closed year-round in Marine Area 12. It shall be lawful to take, fish for and possess sea cucumbers for personal use with any hand-operated instrument which does not penetrate the animal.
(5) Goose barnacles: It is lawful to take goose barnacles for personal use the entire year.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 02-17-019, filed 8/9/02, effective 9/9/02)
WAC 220-56-355 Clams, oysters, mussels—Unlawful acts.
(1) It is unlawful to take, dig for and possess clams (excluding razor clams), cockles, and mussels taken for personal use except by hand or with hand-operated forks, picks, mattocks, rakes and shovels. Violation of this subsection is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160.
(2) It is unlawful to take, dig for and possess razor clams taken for personal use except by hand, shovels or with cylindrical cans, tubes or hinged digging devices. The opening of tubes or cans must be either circular or elliptical with the circular can/tube having a minimum outside diameter of 4 inches and the elliptical can/tube having a minimum dimension of 4 inches long and 3 inches wide outside diameter. The hinged digging device when opened in a cylindrical position, must have a minimum outside diameter of 4 inches at the bottom. Violation of this subsection is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160.
(3) Any newly designed or modified digging device intended for the recreational use of razor clams must receive the specific approval of the director of fish and wildlife.
(4) In the field each digger, including holders of razor clam disability permits, must have his or her daily limit in a separate container. Violation of this subsection is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160.
(5) It is unlawful to possess shellfish taken with gear that violates the provisions of this section. Possession of shellfish while using gear in violation of the provisions of this section is a rebuttable presumption that the shellfish were taken with such gear. Possession of such shellfish is punishable under RCW 77.15.380 Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree—Penalty, unless the shellfish are taken in the amounts or manner to constitute a violation of RCW 77.15.370 Unlawful recreational fishing in the first degreePenalty.
(6) It shall be unlawful for any person digging clams other than razor clams for personal use to fail to fill in holes created during the digging operation. Beach terrain must be returned to approximately its original condition by clam diggers before leaving the scene.
(((2))) (7) It shall be unlawful to maim, injure or attempt to capture a geoduck by thrusting any instrument through its siphon or to possess only the siphon or neck portion of a geoduck.
(((3))) (8) Oysters taken for personal use must be shucked before removing oysters from the intertidal zone and the shells replaced on the tidelands at the approximate tide level from which originally taken and it shall be unlawful for any person to fail to do so.
(9) It is unlawful to possess Manila, native littleneck, cockle, or butter clams taken for personal use which measure less than 1-1/2 inches across the longest dimension of the shell except minimum size 1-1/4 inches if taken from public tidelands on the west side of Quilcene Bay north of the county boat ramp.
(((4))) (10) It is unlawful to return any eastern softshells, horse clams, or geoducks to the beach or water regardless of size or condition. All such clams taken for personal use must be retained by the digger as part of the daily limit.
(((5))) (11) Violation of the provisions of this section shall be an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-19-007, filed 9/5/13, effective 10/6/13)
WAC 220-56-390 Squid, octopus.
(1)(a) Squid daily limit: For squid other than Humboldt squid, the daily limit is 10 pounds or 5 quarts. For Humboldt squid, the daily limit is 5 squid.
(b) It is unlawful to take, fish for or possess squid taken for personal use with more than one line. A maximum of four squid lures may be used. If gear utilizes conventional hooks, it shall not exceed a total of nine points. Herring rakes and hand dip net gear may be used to take squid. In the field each person taking squid must use a separate container to hold their catch.
(c) It is permissible to take, fish for or possess squid the entire year((, except closed year-round in Catch Record Card Area 12)).
(2)(a) The octopus daily limit is 1.
(b) It is unlawful to take octopus except by hand or by any instrument which will not penetrate or mutilate the body, except that it is permissible to retain octopus taken while angling with hook and line gear.
(c) It is unlawful to take octopus in the following areas:
(i) Marine Area 12;
(ii) Redondo Beach. Redondo Beach is defined as the waters, bed lands, and tidelands within the area described by a line starting from shore at 122°19'27.69"W, 47°20'55.64"N; then northwesterly to 122°19'30.77"W, 47°20'56.82"N; then to 122°19'33.84"W, 47°20'57.31"N; then northeasterly to 122°19'29.78"W, 47°21'02.32"N; then returning to shore at 122°19'25.27"W, 47°21'00.64"N.
(iii) Three Tree Point. Three Tree Point is defined as the waters, bed lands, and tidelands within the area described by a line starting from shore at 122°22'48.68"W, 47°27'06.46"N; then northwesterly to 122°22'58.06"W, 47°27'15.30"N; then northeasterly to 122°22'36.99"W, 47°27'25.51"N; then returning to shore at 122°22'27.63"W, 47°27'16.67"N.
(iv) Alki Beach Seacrest Coves 1, 2 and 3. Alki Beach Seacrest Coves 1, 2, and 3 are defined as the waters, bed lands, and tidelands within the area described by a line starting from shore at 122°22'37.34"W, 47°35'12.98"N; then northeasterly and offshore to 122°22'33.61"W, 47°35'16.10"N; then northwesterly to 122°23'51.20"W, 47°35'29.51"N; then returning to shore at 122°23'54.31"W, 47°35'28.81"N. This area does not include waters within 150 feet of the Seacrest Public Fishing Pier, as demarcated at the surface with buoys and on the sea floor by a perimeter line.
(v) Les Davis. Les Davis is defined as the waters, bed lands, and tidelands within the area described by a line starting from shore at 122°29'07.21"W, 47°17'05.15"N; the northeasterly to 122°29'0.97"W, 47°17'10.57"N; then southeasterly to 122°31'05.91"W, 47°17'06.91"N; then returning to shore at 122°30'59.80"W, 47°17'01.48"N.
(vi) Alki Beach Junk Yard. Alki Beach Junk Yard is defined as the waters, bed lands, and tidelands within the area described by a line starting from shore at 122°24'57.17"W, 47°34'40.64"N; then northwesterly to 122°25'03.25"W, 47°34'50.03"N; then northeasterly to 122°24'40.68"W, 47°34'56.75"N; then returning to shore at 122°24'34.48"W, 47°34'47.34"N.
(vii) Days Island. Days Island is defined as the waters, bed lands, and tidelands within the area described by a line starting from shore at 122°33'49.16"W, 47°14'07.49"N; then west to 122°34'01.41"W, 47°14'07.58"N; then north to 122°34'0.78"W, 47°14'41.73"N; then returning to shore at 122°34'40.74"W, 47°14'41.73"N.
(viii) Deception Pass. Deception Pass is defined as the waters, bed lands, and tidelands east of a line starting at 122°39'48.07"W, 48°24'08.05"N; and north to 122°40'20.57"W, 48°25'10.16"N; then east to 122°40'09.63"W, 48°25'16.15"N proceeding to 122°39'50.68"W, 48°24'55.51"N; and west of a line starting at 122°36'54.24"W, 48°24'29.52"N; and north to 122°36'54.73"W, 48°24'48.92"N.
(3) It is unlawful to possess squid or octopus taken with gear that violates the provisions of this section. If a person violates any provision of this section but has not yet harvested squid or octopus, the violation is an infraction punishable under RCW 77.15.160. Possession of squid or octopus while using gear in violation of the provisions of this section is a rebuttable presumption that the squid or octopus were taken with such gear. Possession of such squid or octopus is punishable under RCW 77.15.380 Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree—Penalty, unless the squid or octopus are taken in the amounts or manner to constitute a violation of RCW 77.15.370 Unlawful recreational fishing in the first degree—Penalty.
REPEALER
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
WAC 220-56-312
Shellfish—Possession limits.
WAC 220-56-340
General provisions—Clams, cockles, mussels—Gear.
WAC 220-56-385
Oysters—Unlawful acts.
WAC 220-56-400
Abalone.
WAC 220-56-405
Sea urchins.
WAC 220-56-410
Sea cucumbers.
WAC 220-56-415
Goose barnacles.