(a) A person may not employ a fishing vessel in the water of this state unless it is registered under the laws of the state. Vessels registered under the laws of another state, and persons residing in another state, are not excused from this provision.
(b) The term “employ”, as used in this section, shall be defined by the Board of Fisheries through the adoption of regulations under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act). The definition may include any activities involving the use or navigation of fishing vessels.
(c) The term “registered under the laws of the state”, as used in this section, shall be defined by the Board of Fisheries through the adoption of regulations under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act). The definition may include any existing requirements regarding registration, licenses, permits, and similar matters imposed by law or regulation together with modifications of them and with any additional requirements the board finds necessary to maximize the authority of the state to apply and enforce fisheries regulations under 16 U.S.C. 1801-1882 (Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-265, 90 Stat. 331)).
(d) In this section “fishing vessel” means any vessel, boat, ship, or other craft that is used for, equipped to be used for, or of a type which is normally used for
(1) fishing, or
(2) aiding or assisting one or more vessels at sea in the performance of any activity relating to fishing, including, but not limited to, preparation, supply, storage, refrigeration, transportation, or processing.