(a) When a person employs another to work at a cannery, saltery, or other plant or establishment in this state for the catching or preparation of fish or aquatic animals for food, fish meal, fertilizer, oil, or other articles of commerce, and the plant or establishment, at the time of employment, is subject to a lien, mortgage, encumbrance, or the provisions of a transfer or conditional sale, or the employer is not the owner of the plant or establishment, or of the boats or fishing gear connected with it, the employer shall furnish to each employee at the time of employment, or in any event, not later than the time the employee is brought within the state boundaries, a written statement showing
(1) the name of the owner of the plant or establishment at or in connection with which the employee is to work;
(2) a general description of the plant or establishment as to buildings, boats, and other gear and material;
(3) whether any of the property is subject to a lien, mortgage, encumbrance, assignment, or conditional sale and, if so, the amount of it.
(b) In a prosecution under this section, the defendant may show in defense that the claims for labor of the employees to whom the statements were not furnished have been paid in full. A defendant who does so shall be discharged.
(c) Failure to furnish a statement required by this section is a misdemeanor and a person who violates this section is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000 or by imprisonment for not more than six months or by both.