(1)(a) Every diver engaged in the commercial harvest of subtidal geoduck clams shall obtain a geoduck diver license. An individual may only own one license and all geoduck harvesting performed under the license must be done personally by the actual license holder.

(b) The licensing requirement created in this section does not apply to divers engaged in activities related to the cultivation of geoduck clams as private sector cultured aquatic products as defined in RCW 15.85.020.

(c) The geoduck diver license is a nontransferable license.

(2) Beginning January 1, 2015, the director may not issue more than seventy-seven geoduck diver licenses in any one year.

(3) The annual geoduck diver license fee is as provided in RCW 77.65.440.

(4) A geoduck diver license expires on December 31st of each year. Prior to the license's expiration, a license holder may apply to renew the license holder's geoduck diver license only if the license holder is included on a department of natural resources' geoduck harvest agreement plan of operation during the applicable current calendar year.

(5) Beginning January 1, 2015, each person applying for or renewing a geoduck diver license under this section must complete the geoduck diver safety program established in RCW 43.30.560 prior to being issued a license.

Rule-making authority—2013 c 204 ss 1-3: "The department of fish and wildlife may adopt any rules deemed necessary to implement sections 1 through 3 of this act." [ 2013 c 204 s 7.]

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

Construction—Severability—1969 ex.s. c 253: See notes following RCW 77.60.070.

Designation of aquatic lands for geoduck harvesting: RCW 79.135.220.

Geoducks, harvesting for commercial purposes—License: RCW 77.60.070.