(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a person shall not operate a vessel as a charter boat from which salmon are taken in salt water without an angler permit. The angler permit shall specify the maximum number of persons that may fish from the charter boat per trip. The angler permit expires if the salmon charter license is not renewed.

(2) Only a person who holds a salmon charter license issued under RCW 77.65.150 and 77.70.050 may hold an angler permit.

(3) An angler permit shall not be required for charter boats licensed in Oregon and fishing in ocean waters within the jurisdiction of Washington state from the southern border of the state of Washington to Leadbetter Point under the same regulations as Washington charter boat operators, as long as the Oregon vessel does not land at any Washington port with the purpose of taking on or discharging passengers. The provisions of this subsection shall be in effect as long as the state of Oregon has reciprocal laws and regulations.

Finding, intent—Captions not law—Effective date—Severability—1993 c 340: See notes following RCW 77.65.010.

Effective date—1979 c 101: "This act shall take effect on January 1, 1980." [ 1979 c 101 s 10.]

Intent—1979 c 101: "The legislature finds that wise management of the state's salmon fishery is essential to the well-being of the state. The legislature recognizes that further restrictions on salmon fishing in the charter salmon industry are necessary and that a limitation on the number of persons fishing is preferable to reductions in the fishing season or daily bag limits, or increases in size limits." [ 1979 c 101 s 1.]