Coastal Crab and Puget Sound Shellfish Updates

Rule-making status: Permanent
Rule-making reference: #P2023-10

Summary of proposed rule

The proposed changes to regulations include both non-administrative and administrative amendments.

Scope and rationale for proposed rule

Each of the WACs that have proposed amendments as part of this rulemaking package are listed below:

Installation and Use of Electronic Monitoring (WAC 220-340-420)
Coastal Commercial Crab Logbook – Not Required with Operational EM (WAC 220-340-460)
Line Marking in Coastal Dungeness Crab Fishery (WAC 220-340-430)
Prohibit Line Marks or Colors Required in Another Fishery (WAC 220-330-020; 220-340-430; 220-340-510; 220-340-520; 220-360-220)
Crab and Shrimp Buoys (WAC 220-330-020)
Limit Line in Shellfish and Hagfish Fisheries to Amount Needed (WAC 220-330-020; 220-340-430; 220-340-510; 220-340-520)
Standardize Crab and Shrimp Pot Buoy Colors (WAC 220-330-020;220-340-430;220-340-520)
Define a New Management Category for Non-spot Shrimp Species (WAC 220-320-015)
Require Annual Registration of Commercial Crab Buoy Color Schemes (WAC 220-340-430)
Buoy Tags in Commercial Dungeness Crab Fisheries (WAC 220-340-430)
Puget Sound Commercial Pot Shrimp (WAC 220-340-520)
Puget Sound Commercial Crab and Shrimp Fishery Boundary Designations (WAC 220-320-120; 220-320-140; 220-340-455; 220-340-530)
Shellfish Harvest Logs (WAC 220-340-030)
Fish Receiving, Transportation Ticket, and Quick Reporting Revisions (WAC 220-352-060; 220-352-230; 220-352-340; 220-340-420)

Public comments

To view and submit comments, please visit the Coastal Crab and Puget Sound Shellfish public engagement page.

You may also leave comments by sending an email to crab-and-shellfish-rulemaking@PublicInput.com or by leaving a voicemail message at 855-925-2801 and entering project code 2872.

Comments will be accepted until the close of the comment period on October 2, 2023.

Public hearing

September 28-30, 2023 at 8:00 am

In-person at:
Yakima Convention Center
10 N 8th St
Yakima, WA 98901

and online via Zoom Webinar

For more information

Staff Contact: Lorna Wargo at Lorna.Wargo@dfw.wa.gov

Assistance for additional accessibility and persons with disabilities contact:
833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.