(1) A person shall not fish commercially for herring in state waters without a herring fishery license. As used in this section, "herring fishery license" means any of the following commercial fishery licenses issued under RCW 77.65.200: Herring dip bag net; herring drag seine; herring gill net; herring lampara; herring purse seine.

(2) Except as provided in this section, a herring fishery license may be issued only to a person who held the license sought to be renewed during the previous year or acquired the license by transfer from someone who held it during the previous year, and if the person has not subsequently transferred the license to another person.

(3) Herring fishery licenses may be renewed each year. A herring fishery license that is not renewed each year shall not be renewed further.

(4) The director may issue additional herring fishery licenses if the stocks of herring will not be jeopardized by granting additional licenses.

(5) Subject to the restrictions of RCW 77.65.020, herring fishery licenses are transferable from one license holder to another.

Finding, intent—Captions not law—Effective date—Severability—1993 c 340: See notes following RCW 77.65.010.

Legislative findings—Purpose—1973 1st ex.s. c 173: "The legislature finds that a significant commercial herring fishing industry is presently developing in the state of Washington under the careful guidance of the department of fisheries. The legislature further finds that the stocks of herring within the waters of this state are limited in extent and are in need of strict preservation.

In addition, the legislature finds that the number of commercial fishermen engaged in fishing for herring has steadily increased. This factor, combined with advances made in fishing and marketing techniques, has resulted in strong pressures on the supply of herring, unnecessary waste in one of Washington's valuable resources, and economic loss to the citizens of this state. Therefore, it is the purpose of RCW 75.30.140 to establish reasonable procedures for controlling the extent of commercial herring fishing." [ 1983 1st ex.s. c 46 § 135; 1973 1st ex.s. c 173 § 2. Formerly RCW 75.28.390 and 75.28.400.]