(a) Prior to departure from any port in the United States for the purpose of taking fish in the far offshore fishery, the operator of any vessel landing fish in California that will be taken in the far offshore fishery shall file a declaration with the department on forms prescribed by the department.
(b) The declaration shall be valid when signed by the vessel operator and completed with information prescribed by the department.
(c) Upon completion of the trip and within 12 hours of arrival at a port in this state, the operator of the vessel shall complete and submit the return portion of the declaration to the department.
(d) This section does not apply to any commercial fisherman using or possessing only troll lines, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 9025.5, or gear for angling, as defined in Section 15, for the taking or possession of albacore only.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 573, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)