Meeting Minutes WASHINGTON FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091

CONFERENCE CALL January 18, 2001 - 9:00 a.m. Olympia, Washington ATTENDANCE: Commission Department Russ Cahill, Chair Jeff Koenings, Director Will Roehl, Vice Chair Larry Peck, Deputy Director Don Heinicke Jay Odell Lisa Pelly Phil Anderson Fred Shiosaki Evan Jacoby Bob Tuck Bruce Crawford Van Van Gytenbeek Lew Atkins Kelly White Bob Gibbons Commission Staff: Public: None Nancy Burkhart ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO PUGET SOUND COMMERCIAL CRAB RULES: Commissioner Roehl moved, seconded by Commissioner Tuck, to put back on the table the motion made at the December 8-9, 2000 Commission meeting to adopt permanent amendments to the following rules, as presented: - WAC 220-52-040, Commercial Crab Fishery--Lawful and Unlawful Gear, Methods, and Other Unlawful Acts; and - WAC 220-52-046, Crab Fishery-Seasons and Areas, excluding those portions of the amendments affecting Dungeness Bay which shall be reconsidered in light of the Commission's adopted policy and the discussions today. The motion to put the motion back on the table carried unanimously. Jay Odell briefed the Commission on his efforts to work with the Advisory Group to draft rule language that would provide some opportunity for commercial fishing in the inner portion of Dungeness Bay, consistent with policy language. No consensus could be reached, and he feels that future discussions with the Advisory Group would not result in a different recommendation. Commissioner Roehl moved, seconded by Commissioner Tuck, to amend the motion to adopt permanent amendments to the following rules: - WAC 220-52-040, Commercial Crab Fishery--Lawful and Unlawful Gear, Methods, and Other Unlawful Acts; and - WAC 220-52-046, Crab Fishery-Seasons and Areas; and to strike Section (5) (c) of WAC 220-52-040. The motion to amend the motion failed. Commissioner Roehl moved, seconded by Commissioner Tuck, to amend the motion to adopt permanent amendments to the following rules, as presented at the December 8-9, 2000 Commission meeting: - WAC 220-52-040, Commercial Crab Fishery--Lawful and Unlawful Gear, Methods, and Other Unlawful Acts; and - WAC 220-52-046, Crab Fishery-Seasons and Areas. The motion to adopt permanent amendments to the rules carried unanimously. COMMERCIAL FISHING REGULATION CHANGES: Bob Gibbons briefed the Commission on proposed commercial salmon/sturgeon fishing regulation changes. Public input on and Commission consideration of adoption of the final rule proposals will occur at the February 9-10, 2001 Commission meeting in Tukwila. FLY FISHING-ONLY DEFINITION ALLOWING GEAR EXEMPTION FOR FISHERS WITH DISABILITIES: Bob Gibbons briefed the Commission on a rule proposal to modify the fly fishing-only definition to allow anglers with disabilities to participate using gear not otherwise permissible. Public input on and Commission consideration of adoption of the final rule proposal will occur at the February 9-10, 2001 Commission meeting in Tukwila. PETITION TO ADOPT, AMEND OR REPEAL RULES -- ROBERT PRIES: Phil Anderson presented Mr. Robert Pries' petition to amend WAC 220-52-040, which sets forth certain regulations pertaining to the coastal Dungeness crab fishery, including a pot limit system. Commissioner Tuck moved, seconded by Commissioner Shiosaki, to deny Mr. Robert Pries' petition to amend WAC 220-52-040. The motion carried unanimously. TWO-CONSECUTIVE DAY STAMP SHORT-TERM FISHING LICENSE DEALER FEE: Bruce Crawford briefed the Commission on a request received from the charter industry that the license dealer fee for a two-day temporary fishing license issued as a stamp be increased from $.50 to $1.00. Commissioners agreed to consider at the April 6-7, 2001 meeting a rule proposal to increase the license dealer fee as requested. STEELHEAD MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM: The Commission discussed and agreed to hold a steelhead management symposium on September 22, 2001 in the Seattle metropolitan area. Commissioner Cahill will call Oregon's Commission Chair and see if they would be interested in having this a joint effort. RECENT ACTIVITIES: The Commission and Deputy Director Peck discussed recent activities and items of interest. In May 2000, rotenone was ordered at a cost of approximately $60,000 (still to be paid). Because of health concerns regarding rotenone, the Department asked the Commission if it should be used or returned to the manufacturer at a cost of $22,000. The Commission directed the Director to make the decision as to whether this shipment should be used or returned. At the April 6-7, 2001 meeting, the Department will provide a briefing to the Commission concerning the future use of rotenone. MEMOS AND AUTHORITIES FROM THE JANUARY 18, 2001 FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION CONFERENCE CALL, OLYMPIA Amendments to Puget Sound Commercial Crab Rules -Motion by Roehl, second by Tuck, to put back on the table the motion made at the December 8-9, 2000 Commission meeting to adopt permanent amendments to the following rules, as presented: -- WAC 220-52-040, Commercial Crab Fishery--Lawful and Unlawful Gear, Methods, and Other Unlawful Acts; and -- WAC 220-52-046, Crab Fishery-Seasons and Areas, excluding those portions of the amendments affecting Dungeness Bay which shall be reconsidered in light of the Commission's adopted policy and the discussions today. The motion to put the motion back on the table carried unanimously. - Motion by Roehl, second by Tuck, to amend the motion to adopt permanent amendments to the following rules: -- WAC 220-52-040, Commercial Crab Fishery--Lawful and Unlawful Gear, Methods, and Other Unlawful Acts; and -- WAC 220-52-046, Crab Fishery-Seasons and Areas; and to strike Section (5) (c) of WAC 220-52-040. The motion to amend the motion failed. - Motion by Roehl, second by Tuck, to amend the motion to adopt permanent amendments to the following rules, as presented at the December 8-9, 2000 Commission meeting: -- WAC 220-52-040, Commercial Crab Fishery--Lawful and Unlawful Gear, Methods, and Other Unlawful Acts; and -- WAC 220-52-046, Crab Fishery-Seasons and Areas. The motion to adopt permanent amendments to the rules carried unanimously. Robert Pries' Petition to Amend WAC 220-52-040 - Motion by Tuck, second by Shiosaki, to deny Mr. Robert Pries' petition to amend WAC 220-52-040. The motion carried unanimously. Commissioners in Attendance: Russ Cahill, Chair Will Roehl, Vice Chair Don Heinicke Lisa Pelly Fred Shiosaki Bob Tuck Van Van Gytenbeek Kelly White

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