1. (1) Gear requirements:

   1. (a) It is unlawful to harvest smelt using purse seine gear in Puget Sound.
   2. (b) It is unlawful to operate purse seine gear in the Puget Sound herring and anchovy fisheries that exceeds 600 feet in length or contains meshes less than 1/2-inch stretch measure, unless otherwise authorized by permit from the director.
2. (2) A violation of subsection (1) of this section is punishable under RCW 77.15.520, Commercial fishing—Unlawful gear or methods—Penalty.

3. (3) Licensing:

   1. (a) A baitfish purse seine fishery license is required to operate purse seine gear in the Puget Sound anchovy commercial fishery and allows the operator to retain anchovy.
   2. (b) A herring purse seine fishery license is required to operate purse seine gear in the Puget Sound herring fishery and allows the operator to retain herring.
   3. (c) Failure to obtain the required license prior to operating purse seine gear and retaining anchovy or herring is punishable under RCW 77.15.500, Commercial fishing without a license—Penalty.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 17-05-112 (Order 17-04), recodified as § 220-356-070, filed 2/15/17, effective 3/18/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. WSR 14-15-006 (Order 14-157), § 220-49-012, filed 7/2/14, effective 8/2/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. WSR 98-05-043, § 220-49-012, filed 2/11/98, effective 3/14/98; WSR 94-12-009 (Order 94-23), § 220-49-012, filed 5/19/94, effective 6/19/94; Order 76-148, § 220-49-012, filed 12/2/76; Order 1105, § 220-49-012, filed 12/28/73.]