Statutes > Washington Statutes > Title 77 - Fish and wildlife (formerly: game and game fish) > 77.15 - Fish and wildlife enforcement code. > 77.15.620 - Engaging in fish dealing activity -- Unlicensed -- Penalty.

77.15.620 - Engaging in fish dealing activity -- Unlicensed -- Penalty.

Engaging in fish dealing activity — Unlicensed — Penalty.

(1) A person is guilty of engaging in fish dealing activity without a license in the second degree if the person:

     (a) Engages in the commercial processing of fish or shellfish, including custom canning or processing of personal use fish or shellfish and does not hold a wholesale dealer's license required by RCW 77.65.280(1) or 77.65.480 for anadromous game fish, or a direct retail endorsement under RCW 77.65.510;

     (b) Engages in the wholesale selling, buying, or brokering of food fish or shellfish and does not hold a wholesale dealer's or buying license required by RCW 77.65.280(2) or 77.65.480 for anadromous game fish;

     (c) Is a fisher who lands and sells his or her catch or harvest in the state to anyone other than a licensed wholesale dealer within or outside the state and does not hold a direct retail endorsement required by RCW 77.65.510; or

     (d) Engages in the commercial manufacture or preparation of fertilizer, oil, meal, caviar, fish bait, or other by-products from food fish or shellfish and does not hold a wholesale dealer's license required by RCW 77.65.280(4) or 77.65.480 for anadromous game fish.

     (2) Engaging in fish dealing activity without a license in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor.

     (3) A person is guilty of engaging in fish dealing activity without a license in the first degree if the person commits the act described by subsection (1) of this section and the violation involves: (a) Fish or shellfish worth two hundred fifty dollars or more; (b) a failure to document such fish or shellfish with a fish receiving ticket or other documentation required by statute or rule of the department; or (c) violates [a violation of] any other rule of the department regarding wholesale fish buying and dealing. Engaging in fish dealing activity without a license in the first degree is a class C felony.

[2009 c 333 § 20; 2002 c 301 § 7; 2000 c 107 § 253; 1998 c 190 § 43.]

Notes: Finding -- Effective date -- 2002 c 301: See notes following RCW 77.65.510.