Section 220-20-121. Possession of food fish and shellfish—Identification—Commercial.

(1) It is unlawful to possess any food fish or shellfish in a condition where the species, length, weight, or sex cannot be determined if a species, species group or category, length, weight, or sex limit is prescribed for that species on a vessel engaging in commercial fishing or that has commercially caught fish aboard, except:

(a) It is permissible to possess fish or shellfish legally taken for commercial purposes, landed, and properly accounted for on a completed fish receiving ticket;

(b) It is permissible to possess, transport through the waters of the state, or land dressed sablefish;

(c) It is permissible to possess, transport through the waters of the Pacific Ocean, or land dressed salmon caught during a legal commercial salmon troll fishery, provided that frozen dressed Chinook salmon are 21 1/2 inches or more in length and frozen dressed coho salmon are 12 inches or more in length, measured from the midpoint of the clavicle arch to the fork of the tail;

(d) It is permissible to possess, transport through the waters of the Pacific Ocean, or land dressed halibut if allowed by International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) rules and such fish meet any IPHC size requirements so long as halibut is landed with the heads still attached; and

(e) It is permissible to possess, transport through the waters of the Pacific Ocean, or land dressed lingcod when taken during a lawful commercial fishery.

(2) Violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor under RCW 77.15.550, Violation of commercial fishing area or time—Penalty.

(3) "Dressed fish" is defined as provided in WAC 220-16-330.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. WSR 13-03-153 (Order 13-16), § 220-20-121, filed 1/23/13, effective 2/23/13.]

RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. WSR 13-03-153 (Order 13-16), § 220-20-121, filed 1/23/13, effective 2/23/13.

Rules

220-16-330,