Any person who engages in any business for profit involving fish shall be licensed pursuant to this article, except as follows:
(a) A commercial fisherman who sells fish only to persons licensed under this article to purchase or receive fish from commercial fishermen and who does not engage in any activity described in Section 8034, 8035, or 8036 unless licensed to engage in both activities.
(b) A person licensed pursuant to Section 8460 who only takes, transports, or sells live freshwater fish for bait.
(c) A person who sells fish or aquaculture products only at retail to the ultimate consumer if that person does not conduct any activities described in Section 8033, 8035, or 8036.
(d) Pursuant to Division 12 (commencing with Section 15000), a person who deals only in products of aquaculture.
(e) A person who deals only with nonnative live products that are not utilized for human consumption but that are utilized solely for pet industry or hobby purposes and who does not engage in the activities described in Section 8033.1.
(f) A person who is employed by the fish receiver to unload fish or fish products from a commercial fishing boat at a dock.
(g) A person who purchases, sells, takes, or receives live marine fish for use exclusively as live bait, that are not brought ashore, and who has registered as a live bait dealer with the department.
(h) A person who does not purchase or obtain fish, but who acts as an agent for others while negotiating purchases, or sales of fish in return for a fee, commission, or other compensation.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 876, Sec. 2. (SB 500) Effective January 1, 2024.)