Washington Revised Code Title 77. Fish and Wildlife § 77.70.110. Dungeness crab-Puget Sound fishery license--Limitations--Qualifications

(1) A person shall not commercially take Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) in Puget Sound without first obtaining a Dungeness crab--Puget Sound fishery license. As used in this section, “Puget Sound” has the meaning given in RCW 77.65.160(5)(a). A Dungeness crab--Puget Sound fishery license is not required to take other species of crab, including red rock crab (Cancer productus).

(2) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (6) of this section, after January 1, 1982, the director shall issue no new Dungeness crab--Puget Sound fishery licenses. Only a person who meets the following qualification may renew an existing license: The person shall have held the Dungeness crab--Puget Sound fishery license sought to be renewed during the previous year or acquired the license by transfer from someone who held it during the previous year, and shall not have subsequently transferred the license to another person.

(3) Where the person failed to obtain the license during the previous year because of a license suspension, the person may qualify for a license by establishing that the person held such a license during the last year in which the license was not suspended.

(4) This section does not restrict the issuance of commercial crab licenses for areas other than Puget Sound or for species other than Dungeness crab.

(5) Dungeness crab--Puget Sound fishery licenses are transferable from one license holder to another.

(6) If fewer than one hundred twenty-five persons are eligible for Dungeness crab--Puget Sound fishery licenses, the director may accept applications for new licenses. The director shall determine by random selection the successful applicants for the additional licenses. The number of additional licenses issued shall be sufficient to maintain one hundred twenty-five licenses in the Puget Sound Dungeness crab fishery. The director shall adopt rules governing the application, selection, and issuance procedures for new Dungeness crab--Puget Sound fishery licenses.