(1) The director may issue experimental fishery permits for commercial harvest in an emerging commercial fishery for which the director has determined there is a need to limit the number of participants. The director shall determine by rule the number and qualifications of participants for such experimental fishery permits. Only a person who holds an emerging commercial fishery license issued under RCW 77.65.400 and who meets the qualifications established in those rules may hold an experimental fishery permit. The director shall limit the number of these permits to prevent habitat damage, ensure conservation of the resource, and prevent overharvesting. In developing rules for limiting participation in an emerging or expanding commercial fishery, the director shall appoint a five-person advisory board representative of the affected fishery industry. The advisory board shall review and make recommendations to the director on rules relating to the number and qualifications of the participants for such experimental fishery permits.

(2) RCW 34.05.422(3) does not apply to applications for new experimental fishery permits.

(3) Experimental fishery permits are not transferable from the permit holder to any other person.

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

Legislative finding—1990 c 63: "The legislature finds that:

(1) A number of commercial fisheries have emerged or expanded in the past decade;

(2) Scientific information is critical to the proper management of an emerging or expanding commercial fishery; and

(3) The scientific information necessary to manage an emerging or expanding commercial fishery can best be obtained through the use of limited experimental fishery permits allowing harvest levels that will preserve and protect the state's food fish and shellfish resource." [ 1990 c 63 § 1.]