(1) A person licensed as a commercial fisher, wholesale fish buyer, or limited fish seller, or a person not so licensed but acting in such a capacity, is guilty of unlawful fish and shellfish catch accounting in the second degree if he or she receives or delivers for commercial purposes fish or shellfish worth less than two hundred fifty dollars; and
(a) Fails to document such fish or shellfish with a fish-receiving ticket or other documentation required by statute or department rule;
(b) Fails to sign the fish-receiving ticket or other required documentation, fails to provide all of the information required by statute or department rule on the fish-receiving ticket or other documentation, or both; or
(c) Fails to submit the fish-receiving ticket to the department as required by statute or department rule.
(2) A person is guilty of unlawful fish and shellfish catch accounting in the first degree if the person commits an act described by subsection (1) of this section and:
(a) The violation involves fish or shellfish worth two hundred fifty dollars or more;
(b) The person acted with knowledge that the fish or shellfish were taken from a closed area, at a closed time, or by a person not licensed to take such fish or shellfish for commercial purposes; or
(c) The person acted with knowledge that the fish or shellfish were taken in violation of any tribal law.
(3)(a) Unlawful fish and shellfish catch accounting in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor.
(b) Unlawful fish and shellfish catch accounting in the first degree is a class C felony. Upon conviction, the department shall suspend all privileges to engage in wholesale fish buying or dealing for two years.
(4) For the purposes of this section:
(a) A person "receives" fish or shellfish when title or control of the fish or shellfish is transferred or conveyed to the person.
(b) A person "delivers" fish or shellfish when title or control of the fish or shellfish is transferred or conveyed from the person.
[ 2017 3rd sp.s. c 8 § 13; 2014 c 48 § 21; 2012 c 176 § 31; 2000 c 107 § 254; 1998 c 190 § 44.]
NOTES:
Finding—Intent—Effective date—2017 3rd sp.s. c 8: See notes following RCW 77.08.010.