(A) It is unlawful for any wholesale seafood dealer to purchase shellfish produced, taken, or landed in this State from anyone who is not either:
(1) a properly licensed and permitted commercial saltwater fisherman; or
(2) a properly licensed wholesale seafood dealer.
(B) The wholesale seafood dealer must maintain a record of all purchases of shellfish produced, taken, or landed in this State including the name and address of the person from whom purchased, the area where harvested, the type of shellfish purchased, the dates of harvest and purchase, and the commercial saltwater fisherman's license number. The record must be available for inspection by any law enforcement officer or department personnel for one year after the date of sale.
(C) Any licensed wholesale seafood dealer who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars and must have his saltwater privileges suspended for twelve months.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 5.