12-03-120

WSR 12-03-120

EXPEDITED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

[ Filed January 18, 2012, 11:50 a.m. ]

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 220-12-010 Food fish--Classification, 220-12-020 Shellfish--Classification, 220-16-211 Geographical definitions--Puget Sound tributaries, 220-20-015 Lawful and unlawful acts--Salmon, 220-88-020 Experimental fishery permits, and 220-88-040 Trial commercial fishery permits.

NOTICE

     THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Joanna Eide, WDFW Enforcement, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091 , AND RECEIVED BY March 19, 2012.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of this proposal is to amend several WAC sections to update references from Title 75 RCW to the proper references within Title 77 RCW. Additionally, some substitutions and additions of words are made to clarify the rules and rectify typographical errors.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: RCW references within rules must be accurate for the rules to have the proper effect and be enforceable. These amendments will accomplish this without changing the meaning of the rules.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 34.05.353 (1)(b), (c), and (d), 77.12.047, 77.50.050, 77.65.050, chapters 77.65 and 77.70 RCW.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 34.05.353 (1)(b), (c), and (d), 77.12.047, 77.50.050, 77.65.050, chapters 77.65 and 77.70 RCW.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Washington state department of fish and wildlife, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Joanna Eide, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, [phone]; Implementation: Deputy Chief Mike Cenci, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, [phone]; and Enforcement: Chief Bruce Bjork, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, [phone].

January 18, 2012

Joanna M. Eide

Administrative Regulations Analyst

OTS-4545.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-06-031, filed 2/26/98, effective 5/1/98)

WAC 220-12-010   Food fish -- Classification.   The following ((fishes)) species are classified as food fish under RCW ((75.08.080)) 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 Walleye pollock Pacific Tomcod Pacific Cod or true cod		Merluccius productus Theragra chalcogrammus Microgadus proximus Gadusmacrocephalus
Flounder, sole and halibut
Butter sole or Bellingham sole C-O sole Dover sole English sole Flathead sole Pacific halibut Petrale sole Rex sole Rock sole Pacific sand dab Sand sole Slender sole Speckled sand dab Starry flounder Turbot or Arrowtooth flounder All other species of sole and flounder Giant wrymouth		Isopsetta isolepis Pleuronichtys coenosus Microstomus pacificus Parophrys vetulus Hippoglossoides elassodon Hippoglossus stenolepis Eopsetta jordani Glyptocephalus zachirus Lepidopsetta bilineata Citharichthys sordidus Psettichthys melanostictus Lyopsetta exilis Citharichthys stigmaeus Platichthys stellatus Atheresthes stomias (Pleuronectiformes) Delolepsis gigantea
Greenling
Lingcod Rock greenling Kelp greenling All other species of      greenling		Ophiodon elongatus Hexagrammos superciliosus Hexagrammos decagrammus (Hexagrammidae)
Herring and herring-like fishes
Northern anchovy Pacific sand lance or candlefish Pacific herring Pacific sardine or pilchard American shad		Engraulis mordax Ammodytes hexapterus Clupea harengus pallasi Sardinops sagax Alosa sapidissima
Mackerels, tunas and jacks           (carangids)
Pacific bonito Pacific mackerel Jack mackerel Monterey Spanish mackerel Spanish mackerel Yellowtail Albacore Bluefin tuna Skipjack tuna Yellowfin tuna All other species of tunas      and mackerels Pacific pomfret Pacific pompano Plainfin midshipman Ratfish Rattails, all species		Sarda chiliensis Scomber japonicus Trachurus symmetricus Scomberomorus concolor Scomberomorus maculatus Seriola dorsalis Thunnus alalunga Thunnus thynnus Euthynnus pelamis Thunnus albacares (Scombridae) Brama japonica Peprilus simillimus Parichthys notatus Hydrolagus colliei (Coryphaenoididae)
Skates
Longnose skate Big skate All other species of skates		Raja rhina Raja binoculata (Rajidae)
Rockfish
Bocaccio Black rockfish Brown rockfish Copper rockfish Greenstriped rockfish Canary rockfish Pacific Ocean perch Yelloweye or rasphead      rockfish Rosefish or splitnose rockfish Silvergray rockfish Quillback rockfish Yellowtail rockfish All other species of rockfish Sablefish		Sebastes paucispinis Sebastes melanops Sebastes auriculatus Sebastes caurinus Sebastes elongatus Sebastes pinniger Sebastes alutus Sebastes ruberrimus Sebastes diploproa Sebastes brevispinis Sebastes maliger Sebastes flavidus (Scorpaenidae) Anoplopoma fimbria
Salmon
Chinook or King salmon (except in its landlocked form as defined in WAC 232-12-018) Chum or dog salmon Pink or humpback Coho or silver (except in its landlocked form as defined in WAC 232-12-018) Sockeye or blue back Masu Atlantic salmon (except in its landlocked form)		Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Oncorhynchus keta Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus nerka Oncorhynchus masu Salmo salar
Sculpins
Brown Irish lord Buffalo sculpin Cabezon Great sculpin Pacific Staghorn sculpin Red Irish lord	Hemilepidotus spinosus Enophrys bison Scorpaenichthys marmoratus Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus Leptocottus armatus Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus
Seabass and drums
White seabass All other seabass and      drums	Cynoscion nobilis (Sciaenidae and Serranidae)
Sharks
Sixgill shark Soupfin shark Dogfish or spiny dogfish All other species of sharks	Hexanchus griseus Galeorhinus zyopterus Squalus acanthias (Squaliformes and Hexanchiformes)
Smelts
Eulachon or Columbia      River smelt Longfin smelt Surf smelt All other species of smelt	Thaleichthys pacificus Spirinchus dilatus Hypomesus pretiosus (Osmeridae)
Sturgeons
Green sturgeon White sturgeon	Acipenser medirostris Acipenser transmontanus
Surfperches
Blue perch or striped      seaperch Kelp perch Redtail surfperch Shiner perch Pile perch Walleye surfperch White seaperch All other species of perch Wolf-eel	Embiotoca lateralis Brachyistius frenatus Amphistichus rhodoterus Cymatogaster aggregata Rhacochilus vacca Hyperprosopon argenteum Phanerodon furcatus (Embiotocidae) Anarrhichthys ocellatus
Hagfishes
Pacific hagfish Black hagfish	Eptatretus stouti Eptatretus deani

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040 and 75.08.080. 98-06-031, § 220-12-010, filed 2/26/98, effective 5/1/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 95-17-062 (Order 95-102), § 220-12-010, filed 8/15/95, effective 9/15/95; 89-14-010 (Order 89-48), § 220-12-010, filed 6/22/89; 83-24-024 (Order 83-200), § 220-12-010, filed 11/30/83, effective 1/1/84; 82-07-047 (Order 82-19), § 220-12-010, filed 3/18/82; Order 1057, § 220-12-010, filed 5/22/73; Order 807, § 220-12-010, filed 1/2/69, effective 2/1/69; Order 677, Food fish classification, filed 3/31/66; Order 256, Food fish classification, filed 3/1/60.]

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 10-64, filed 3/19/10, effective 5/1/10)

WAC 220-12-020   Shellfish -- Classification.   The following species are classified as shellfish under RCW ((75.08.080)) 77.12.047 and are subject to the provisions of this title:

Abalone
Pinto abalone	Haliotis kamtschatkana
Mussel
Blue mussel	Mytilus trossulus
California mussel	Mytilus californianus
Mediterranean mussel	Mytilus galloprovincialis
Scallops
Pacific pink scallop	Chlamys rubida
Rock scallop	Crassadoma gigantea
Spiny scallop	Chlamys hastata
Weathervane scallop	Patinopecten caurinus
Clams
All macoma clams	Macoma spp.
Butter clam	Saxidomus giganteus
Common cockle	Clinocardium nuttallii
Geoduck	Panopea abrupta
Horse or Gaper clam	Tresus nuttallii,
	Tresus capax
Mud or soft shell clam	Mya arenaria
Manila clam	Venerupis philippinarum
Piddock	Zirfaea pilsbryi
Razor clam	Siliqua patula
Rock or native little neck clam	Leukoma staminea
Varnish clam	Nuttallia obscurata
All other marine clams existing in Washington in a wild state
Oysters
All oysters	(Ostreidae)
Squid
All squid	Sepiolida or Teuthida
Octopus
Octopus	Enteroctopus dolfleini
Barnacles
Goose barnacle	Pollicipes polymerus
Shrimp
Coonstripe shrimp	Pandalus danae
Coonstripe shrimp	Pandalus hypsinotus
Ghost or sand shrimp	Neotrypaea spp.
Humpy shrimp	Pandalus goniurus
Mud shrimp	Upogebia pugettensis
Ocean pink shrimp	Pandalus jordani
Pink shrimp	Pandalus eous
Sidestripe shrimp	Pandalopsis dispar
Spot shrimp	Pandalus platyceros
Crab
Dungeness or Pacific crab	Cancer magister
Red rock crab	Cancer productus
Tanner crab	Chionoecetes tanneri
King and box crab	Lopholithodes spp.
Crawfish
Crawfish	Pacifastacus sp.
Sea cucumber
Sea cucumber	Parastichopus californicus
Sea urchin
Green urchin	Strongylocentrotus      droebachiensis
Red urchin	Strongylocentrotus      franciscanus
Purple urchin	Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 10-07-105 (Order 10-64), § 220-12-020, filed 3/19/10, effective 5/1/10; 04-07-009 (Order 04-39), § 220-12-020, filed 3/4/04, effective 5/1/04; 03-05-057 (Order 03-24), § 220-12-020, filed 2/14/03, effective 5/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040 and 75.08.080. 98-06-031, § 220-12-020, filed 2/26/98, effective 5/1/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 95-04-066 (Order 95-10), § 220-12-020, filed 1/30/95, effective 5/1/95; 91-10-024 (Order 91-22), § 220-12-020, filed 4/23/91, effective 5/24/91; 88-12-025 (Order 88-28), § 220-12-020, filed 5/25/88, effective 8/22/88; 87-23-006 (Order 87-187), § 220-12-020, filed 11/6/87; 86-24-046 (Order 86-190), § 220-12-020, filed 11/26/86; 85-09-017 (Order 85-20), § 220-12-020, filed 4/9/85; 85-01-010 (Order 84-214), § 220-12-020, filed 12/7/84; 83-24-024 (Order 83-200), § 220-12-020, filed 11/30/83, effective 1/1/84; Order 1186, § 220-12-020, filed 1/13/75; Order 990, § 220-12-020, filed 5/11/72; Order 807, § 220-12-020, filed 1/2/69, effective 2/1/69; Order 677, Shellfish classification, filed 3/31/66; Order 256, Shellfish classification, filed 3/1/60; Abalone and octopus from Order 483 and 256, filed 3/1/60.]

OTS-4546.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 920, filed 5/13/71)

WAC 220-16-211   Geographical definitions -- Puget Sound tributaries.   The term "Puget Sound tributaries" ((shall be construed to)) includes the waters of all fresh water rivers and streams tributary to Puget Sound as defined in WAC ((220-15-210)) 220-16-210 and ((including)) all tributaries flowing into said rivers and streams.

[Order 920, § 220-16-211, filed 5/13/71.]

OTS-4547.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 02-278, filed 11/6/02, effective 12/7/02)

WAC 220-20-015   Lawful and unlawful acts -- Salmon.   (1) It is unlawful to operate in any river, stream or channel any gill net gear longer than three-fourths the width of the stream; this provision shall supersede all other regulations in conflict with it.

     (2) It is unlawful to operate any net for removing snags from state waters without permit from the department ((of fisheries)).

     (3) It is unlawful to take, fish for or possess for commercial purposes chinook salmon less than 28 inches in length or coho salmon less than 16 inches in length, except as follows:

     (a) In the Puget Sound, Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay and Columbia River commercial salmon net fisheries, there is no minimum size limit on salmon taken with gill net gear.

     (b) In the Pacific Ocean commercial salmon troll fishery, frozen chinook salmon, dressed heads off ((shall)), must be 21 1/2 inches minimum, and frozen coho salmon, dressed heads off ((shall)), must be 12 inches minimum, measured from the midpoint of the clavicle arch to the fork of the tail.

     (c) This subsection does not apply to salmon raised in aquaculture.

     (4) It is unlawful to set, maintain, or operate any reef net gear at any location which places the stern ends of either or both reef net boats of said gear less than a distance of 800 feet in front of or behind the head buoys of any row or reef net gear, within the boundaries of the Lummi Island Reef Net Fisheries Area, as described in RCW ((75.12.140)) 77.50.050.

     (5) It is ((lawful)) permissible to possess salmon for any purpose ((which)) that were lawfully obtained from state and federal government fish hatcheries and facilities. Subsections (3) and (12) of WAC 220-20-010 and subsection (3) of WAC 220-20-015 do not apply to salmon possessed under this subsection.

     (6) It is unlawful to take or fish for food fish from a commercial salmon trolling vessel with gear other than lawful troll line gear while said vessel is engaged in commercial fishing or has commercially caught fish aboard.

     (7) It ((shall be)) is unlawful to angle for salmon for personal use from any vessel that is engaged in commercial salmon trolling or has commercially caught salmon aboard.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. 02-23-002 (Order 02-278), § 220-20-015, filed 11/6/02, effective 12/7/02; 00-17-106 (Order 00-149), § 220-20-015, filed 8/16/00, effective 9/16/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 98-15-031 (Order 98-120), § 220-20-015, filed 7/7/98, effective 8/7/98; 84-13-078 (Order 84-53), § 220-20-015, filed 6/21/84; 79-10-013 (Order 79-75), § 220-20-015, filed 9/7/79; 78-05-067 (Order 78-20), § 220-20-015, filed 4/27/78; Order 77-66, § 220-20-015, filed 8/5/77; Order 77-14, § 220-20-015, filed 4/15/77; Order 76-24A, § 220-20-015, filed 4/20/76; Order 1251, § 220-20-015, filed 8/18/75; Order 1210, § 220-20-015, filed 5/26/75; Order 1143, § 220-20-015, filed 8/8/74; Order 1116, § 220-20-015, filed 4/30/74; Order 1049, § 220-20-015, filed 4/11/73; Order 984, § 220-20-015, filed 2/17/72; Order 925, § 220-20-015, filed 6/3/71; Order 920, § 220-20-015, filed 5/13/71; Order 810, § 220-20-015, filed 4/17/69.]

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 94-162, filed 11/14/94, effective 12/15/94)

WAC 220-20-051   Vessel designation requirements.   (1) In any licensed fishery for which a vessel is required under chapter ((75.28)) 77.65 RCW, or for any delivery of food fish or shellfish, or for any charter fishery, it is unlawful to fish for, harvest, deliver, or possess food fish or shellfish unless:

     (a) The licensee has designated the vessel from which the food fish or shellfish are to be taken or delivered((,));

     (b) The department has issued a commercial license to the licensee showing the vessel so designated((,)); and

     (c) The vessel operator has the commercial license in physical possession.

     (2) The following definitions apply to this section:

     (a) "Documentation" means vessel documentation by the United States Coast Guard showing eligibility for the fishery. Once documentation is presented as evidence of ownership, it becomes the only acceptable evidence of ownership unless the vessel is remeasured, found to be less than five net tons, and no longer eligible for documentation.

     (b) "Initial designation" means the designation by an individual licensee of a vessel to be used in a commercial fishery, for delivery of food fish or shellfish, or for charter fishing. Designation by that licensee on additional licenses is not "initial designation," and required evidence of ownership is the same as for continuing designation.

     (c) "Continuing designation" means reapplication for a commercial license with no change in vessel designation.

     (3) A licensee does not have to own the vessel being designated on the license. However, each licensee initially designating a vessel, except nontransferable emergency salmon delivery licensees, and every licensee continuing designation after the fourth continuous designation, must offer evidence of ownership. The following is the only acceptable evidence of ownership:

     (a) For initial designation of a vessel measuring less than thirty-two feet in length, evidence of ownership may be either current state vessel registration or current documentation.

     (b) For initial designation of a vessel thirty-two feet or greater in length, evidence of ownership is:

     (i) Current documentation; or

     (ii) Coast Guard verification that the vessel does not meet the minimum tonnage requirement for documentation (simplified admeasurement); or

     (iii) Verification from the American Bureau of Shipping that the vessel does not meet the minimum tonnage requirement for documentation (formal admeasurement).

     (c) For continuing designation of vessel less than thirty-two feet in length, evidence of ownership may be either current state vessel registration or current documentation.

     (d) For continuing designation of a vessel between thirty-two and thirty-six feet in length, evidence of ownership is current state registration for vessels with state registration numbers or current documentation for documented vessels.

     (e) For continuing designation of a vessel greater than thirty-six feet in length, evidence of ownership is:

     (i) Current documentation; or

     (ii) Coast Guard verification that the vessel does not meet the minimum tonnage requirement for documentation (simplified admeasurement); or

     (iii) Verification from the American Bureau of Shipping that the vessel does not meet the minimum tonnage requirement for documentation (formal admeasurement).

     (4) Every vessel designated to participate in a commercial fishery or to deliver food fish or shellfish must have the official Coast Guard documentation number, complete state registration number, or Alaska department of fish and game registration number permanently displayed in ten-inch tall numbers, or letters and numbers, of proportionate width, clearly visible from each side of the vessel. It is unlawful to participate in a commercial fishery or deliver food fish or shellfish without having such numbers displayed. This subsection does not apply to salmon guide, charter, or nontransferable emergency salmon delivery licensees, or to Canadian vessels delivering under a nonlimited entry delivery license.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 94-23-059 (Order 94-162), § 220-20-051, filed 11/14/94, effective 12/15/94; 94-01-001, § 220-20-051, filed 12/1/93, effective 1/1/94.]

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 94-162, filed 11/14/94, effective 12/15/94)

WAC 220-20-065   Commercial licensing -- Business organizations -- Operator designation.   Any person ((which)) that holds a commercial fishing license or delivery license and is a business organization may designate one natural person to act on behalf of the license holder to operate a designated vessel as provided for in this section:

     (1) If the business is a sole proprietorship, the designated operator must be the sole proprietor.

     (2) If the business is a partnership, the designated operator must be a partner.

     (3) If the business is a corporation, the designated operator must be a corporate officer.

     (4) In addition to the designated operator, a license holder ((who)) that is a business organization may designate up to two alternate operators.

     (5) A license holder ((which)) that is a business organization may substitute the designated operator by surrendering the fishery license card, redesignating the operator under the criteria provided for in this section, and paying the replacement license fee provided for in RCW ((75.28.030)) 77.65.050.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 94-23-059 (Order 94-162), § 220-20-065, filed 11/14/94, effective 12/15/94.]

OTS-4548.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 92-89, filed 9/3/92, effective 10/4/92)

WAC 220-88-020   Experimental fishery permits.   (1) The director will issue experimental fishery permits after the date the rules take effect designating a fishery as either an emerging commercial fishery or an expanding commercial fishery and establishing the number and qualifications of permit holders ((take effect)).

     (2) Only persons meeting the following requirements may hold an experimental fishery permit:

     (a) The person must hold a commercial fishing license under chapter ((75.28)) 77.65 RCW for the gear ((to)) that will be used with the experimental fishery permit, or the person must own a vessel that holds such a commercial fishing license. An experimental fishery permit is supplemental to a commercial fishing license, and may not be used unless the fisher or the fisher's vessel is currently licensed.

     (b) No person ineligible to hold a commercial fishing license will be issued an experimental fishery permit. The person must meet the qualifications established for the experimental fishery permit that the person seeks.

     (c) In the event an emerging or expanding commercial fishery arises from a trial commercial fishery, the director shall consider whether a fisher making application for an experimental fishery permit had previously held a trial commercial fishery permit for that fishery.

     (3) An experimental fishery permit will not be issued for any species for which a license, endorsement, or validation limitation has been established pursuant to chapter ((75.30)) 77.70 RCW, or for any fishery under the jurisdiction of the secretary of commerce.

     (4) The director may at any time close an emerging or expanding commercial fishery for conservation reasons.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 92-19-012 (Order 92-89), § 220-88-020, filed 9/3/92, effective 10/4/92.]

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 92-89, filed 9/3/92, effective 10/4/92)

WAC 220-88-040   Trial commercial fishery permits.   (1) Applications for trial commercial fishery permits must specify the species, fishing area, and fishing method to be used.

     (2) The department will respond to any request for a trial commercial fishery permit within sixty days of receiving the application.

     (3) Only persons who hold a commercial fishing license under chapter ((75.28)) 77.65 RCW for the gear ((to)) that will be used with the trial commercial fishery permit, or persons who own a vessel that holds such a commercial fishing license, are eligible to hold a trial commercial fishery permit. A trial commercial fishery permit is supplemental to a commercial fishing license, and may not be used unless the fisher or the fisher's vessel is currently licensed.

     (4) The director will issue a trial commercial fishery permit for a newly classified species only after the director has by rule classified the species as a food fish or shellfish in chapter 220-12 WAC. If emergency classification is required, the director will issue the trial commercial fishery permit only for the period of emergency classification, and will not renew the permit unless the department has received a request for permanent classification at least two weeks before the end of the permit period.

     (5) The director may redesignate a trial commercial fishery as an emerging or expanding commercial fishery if the director finds that there is a need to limit participation. A trial commercial fishery permit for that fishery does not guarantee future eligibility for an experimental fishery permit.

     (6) The director may at any time close a trial commercial fishery for conservation reasons.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. 92-19-012 (Order 92-89), § 220-88-040, filed 9/3/92, effective 10/4/92.]

OTS-4549.1

REPEALER
     The following chapter of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:

WAC 232-14-010

Hydraulic Code guidelines.