(1)(a) It is unlawful for any fisher to transport through the waters of the state, or to land in any Washington state port, bottomfish taken outside the Exclusive Economic Zone (more than 200 miles offshore), except that any fisher may transport bottomfish through the waters of the state or land bottomfish taken without the Exclusive Economic Zone, provided:
(i) The fisher has, at least 48 hours prior to participating in the far offshore fishery, notified the department either by writing to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 48A Devonshire Road, Montesano, WA 98563; or telephoning the department during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, at 360-586-6129. The fisher must provide the following information: Vessel name and official number; anticipated fishing dates; anticipated port of landing;
(ii) The fisher makes the vessel available for a hold inspection, if required to do so by the department, prior to departure for the far offshore fishery; and
(iii) The fisher notifies the department at least 24 hours prior to landing bottomfish at any Washington state port. The fisher must provide the following information: Port of landing; estimated date and time of landing; estimated species composition, and weight of fish aboard.
(b) Violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor, punishable under RCW
77.15.280.
(2)(a) It is unlawful for any fisher to fish within, or to land fish taken from within, the Exclusive Economic Zone during any trip for which a declaration to participate in the far offshore fishery has been made.
(b) Violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor, punishable under RCW
77.15.280.
(3)(a) Fishers participating in the far offshore fishery are required to be properly licensed in order to land bottomfish into a Washington state port.
(b) Violation of catch restrictions is punishable pursuant to RCW
77.15.550.
(4) This section does not apply to bottomfish that have been previously landed in another state, territory, or country; does not apply to delivery by vessels other than the catcher vessel; and does not apply to bottomfish taken in Canadian territorial waters.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
77.04.012,
77.04.013,
77.04.020,
77.04.055, and
77.12.047. WSR 17-05-112 (Order 17-04), amended and recodified as § 220-355-120, filed 2/15/17, effective 3/18/17. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.12.047. WSR 07-23-002 (Order 07-279), § 220-44-090, filed 11/7/07, effective 12/8/07. Statutory Authority: RCW
75.08.080. WSR 94-12-009 (Order 94-23), § 220-44-090, filed 5/19/94, effective 6/19/94.]