Puget Sound commercial shellfish

Rule-making status: Permanent

The department amended several regulations in WAC chapters 220-320, 220-340, and 220-352 that pertain to commercial crab, shrimp, sea cucumber, sea urchin, scallop, squid, octopus, and razor clam fisheries.

The proposed changes address conservation objectives in several fisheries, update out of date fisheries management provisions, and clarify some requirements that already exist. Many of the changes are also to support co-management objectives and many are to make permanent rules previously articulated with emergency regulations. Housekeeping changes, such as adding geographical coordinates to support clarity in spatial references, improving the clarity of language, correcting errors, and re-organizing WAC structure for simplification are also proposed throughout many of the listed WAC sections.

Public comments

The public comment period has closed as of February 20, 2022.

To view comments on this preproposal notice, please visit the Commercial Shellfish public engagement page.

Public hearing

February 17-19, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. - Webinar

For more information

Staff Contact: christopher.eardley@dfw.wa.gov

Assistance for Additional Accessibility and Persons with Disabilities Contact:
Title VI/ADA Compliance Coordinator  
Phone: (360) 902-2349, TTY: 1-800-833-6388 OR 711  
Email: Title6@dfw.wa.gov

Puget Sound commercial shellfish - Timeline

  • March 31, 2022

    Agency files final rule CR-103

    The permanent rule goes into effect 31 days after filing.

  • March 18, 2022

    Rule adopted by commission

    The Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to adopt the proposed rule.

  • January 5, 2022

    Agency files rule proposal (CR-102)

    The public is encouraged to comment on the rule proposal at this time.

  • February 17-19, 2022

    Fish and Wildlife Briefing and Public Hearing

    WDFW staff will brief the Fish and Wildlife commission and public testimony on this rule making will be accepted during a public hearing.

  • November 4, 2020

    Agency files preproposal (CR-101)

    Agency files notice of its intent to develop commercial shellfish rules for 2022.

November 2020