608-266-5285
12. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:
Hearing dates and the comment submission deadline will occur within 45 days after the emergency rule is in effect.
Section 1 NR 25.06 (1)(c) is created to read:
NR 25.06 Quotas and catch fees. (1) Lake Superior. (c) Lake herring (Cisco). The total allowable annual harvest of cisco by state fishers during the open season in Wisconsin waters of Lake Superior shall not exceed 7.5 percent of the total of the most recent hydroacoustics cisco biomass estimate, expressed in round weight pounds of cisco, as determined by the department.
NR 25.06(1)(a)1. 1. The total allowable state harvest in the waters of Lake Superior may not exceed 1,497,900 round weight pounds in a calendar year. 2. From October 1 through December 31 of each year, the total harvest of cisco by state licensed commercial fishers using gill nets with a mesh size of not less than 2 3/8 inch and not more than 3 inch stretch measure may not exceed 1,317,900 round weight pounds.
3. Excluding harvest under subd. 2, from January 1 through December 31 of each year, the total harvest of cisco by state fishers and the department shall not exceed 180,000 round weight pounds. The department shall subdivide the allocation of 180,000 round weight pounds among commercial incidental catch, recreational angling, and department assessment activities.
Section 2 NR 25.07 (1) (b) is created to read:
NR 25.07 Individual licensee catch quotas. (1) Lake Superior. (b) Lake herring (Cisco). 1. Each state commercial license shall be allotted an equal individual licensee catch quota of the total allowable annual cisco harvest quota established under s. NR 25.06 (1) (c). Section 3 NR 25.08 (intro.) is amended to read:
NR 25.08 Transfer of individual licensee catch quotas. Individual licensee catch quotas allotted under s. NR 25.07 (1) (a) or (b) or (2) (am) 1., (b), (bg), (br), (c), (d), (e) or (f) may be transferred by the licensee receiving the quota allocation to another valid licensee authorized to engage in commercial fishing in the waters to which the quota applies, who meets all criteria for receiving such a quota other than previous fishing history, subject to the conditions stated in this section. Section 4 NR 25.13 (1) (d) is created to read:
NR 25.13 (1) (d) In addition to reporting requirements under this subsection, each person required to be licensed under s. 29.519 (1m), Stats., to conduct commercial fishing operations on Lake Superior and who has received an individual licensee catch quota under s. NR 25.07 (1) (b) for the harvest of lake herring (cisco) shall submit a daily fishing report to the department from October 1 to December 31 after 70 percent of the individual licensee catch quota has been reached that includes all records of pounds of lake herring harvest, harvest effort, and all other information called for on the report form. Daily fishing reports shall be submitted by calling a phone number provided by the department. Section 5. Statement of Emergency. In order to preserve the welfare of state-licensed commercial fishers, Chippewa tribal commercial fishers, recreational fishers, and associated businesses, as well as the welfare and sustainability of the lake herring (cisco) population in Lake Superior, the department finds that an emergency rule is necessary to implement rule changes for lake herring (cisco) harvest.
Section 6. Effective Date. This rule shall take effect upon publication in the official state newspaper, as provided in s. 227.24(1)(d), Stats.
Section 7. Board adoption. This rule was approved and adopted by the State of Wisconsin Natural Resources Board on August 3, 2016.
