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

CONFERENCE CALL September 15, 2005 - 9:00 a.m. Olympia, Washington ATTENDANCE: Commission Department Ron Ozment, Chair Jeff Koenings, Director Fred Shiosaki, Vice Chair Evan Jacoby, Enforcement Program Ken Chew Morris Barker, Fish Program Jerry Gutzwiler Chuck Perry Shirley Solomon Public Miranda Wecker Mike Grossman, Attorney General's Office Commission Staff: Nancy Burkhart Chair Ozment called the conference call to order at 9:00 a.m. COMMERCIAL WILD SHELLFISH RULES -- ACTION: Evan Jacoby presented proposed permanent rule amendments that would establish a new emerging commercial fishery for commercial harvest of wild embedded shellfish from private property. Action on this item was continued by Commission vote during the July 7, 2005, Commission conference call. - Permanent amendments to WAC 220-52-018, Clams--Gear; - Permanent amendments to WAC 220-52-020, Clams--Commercial harvest; - WAC 220-88D-010, Emerging commercial fishery--Commercial wild clams, mussels, and oyster shellfish fishery on nonstate tidelands and bedlands; - WAC 220-88D-020, Designation of the commercial wild clams, mussels, and oyster harvest on nonstate lands as an emerging commercial fishery; - WAC 220-88D-030, Eligibility to participate in the nonstate lands commercial wild clams, mussels, and oyster shellfish fishery; - WAC 220-88D-040, Nonstate lands commercial wild clams, mussels, and oysters--Application requirements--Survey and notification requirements--Incidental take prohibited; and - WAC 220-88D-050, Reporting requirements for nonstate lands commercial wild clams, mussels, and oyster harvest--Conversion to private sector cultured aquatic products. No oral testimony on the rule proposals was received during the meeting. At the staff's recommendation, Commissioner Shiosaki moved, seconded by Commissioner Solomon, to continue action to the Commission's October 7-8, 2005, Commission meeting in Olympia. The motion carried unanimously. HAGFISH RULES FOR TRIAL FISHERY -- BRIEFING: Morris Barker briefed the Commission on a request to continue providing a trial fishing opportunity for a hagfish pot fishery. The Commission will consider action at its October 7-8, 2005, Commission meeting in Olympia. GENERAL DISCUSSION: Commissioners and the Director Koenings discussed recent activities and items of interest.

Commissioners in Attendance:
Ron Ozment, Chair
Fred Shiosaki, Vice Chair
Ken Chew
Jerry Gutzwiler
Chuck Perry
Shirley Solomon
Miranda Wecker

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