OYSTER LICENSES REQUIRED

(a) No person may take or attempt to take oysters from the public water of this state for noncommercial use by the use of a dredge or tongs without first having acquired a sport oyster boat license from the department. (b) No person may take or attempt to take oysters from the public water of this state, without the use of a boat, for pay or for the purpose of sale, barter, or exchange or any other commercial purpose without first having acquired from the department a commercial oyster fisherman's license. (c) No person may take or attempt to take oysters from the public water of this state by the use of a dredge, tongs, or other mechanical means, or by the use of a boat or other vessel for pay, or for the purpose of sale, barter, or exchange or any other commercial purpose without first having acquired from the department a commercial oyster boat license. (d) Each member of the crew of a licensed commercial oyster boat is required to have a general commercial fisherman's license to take oysters while they are on a licensed boat that is being used to take oysters. This subsection does not apply to the holder of a commercial oyster boat captain's license. (e) The captain and each crew member of a licensed commercial oyster boat, each person on a licensed sport oyster boat, and each person oystering under a commercial oyster fisherman's license must possess and produce on request to any enforcement officer proof of the person's identity. (f) The captain of a commercial oyster boat must hold a valid commercial oyster boat captain's license to operate a commercial oyster boat while taking or attempting to take oysters from the public water of this state.