§ 14-4. Unloading of shrimp by commercial fishing vessels restricted.

(a)

As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

Commercial fishing vessel means any boat or vessel which is required to be numbered or registered or enrolled by and under the laws of the United States of America or the State and which vessel or boat is used for the purpose of taking or catching, or assisting in the taking or catching of shrimp for pay or for the purpose of sale, barter or exchange, or which is used for the purpose of taking or catching, or assisting in the taking or catching of shrimp for pay, barter or exchange.

Commercial shrimp business means any person, firm or corporation who or which operates a shrimp house, plant or other establishment for compensation or profit for the purpose of unloading and handling from commercial fishing vessels.

(b)

Nothing in this section shall be so construed to prohibit a regularly established commercial shrimp business house which is duly licensed under the laws of the State from removing or unloading shrimp from any commercial fishing vessel to a motor vehicle for transport to such duly licensed commercial shrimp business, or to prohibit an owner or lessee of a commercial boat from selling his shrimp to buyers other than to shrimp houses.

(c)

Nothing herein contained shall be so construed to prohibit the removal, transferring or unloading under the direct and personal supervision of the registered owners of the vessel.

(d)

The owner of the vessel shall produce, upon demand by any law enforcement officer or other person authorized by law, positive verification of ownership of the vessel and personal identification of the owner.

(Code 1999, § 7-1)