Article 4. Vessel Registration of California Fish And Game Code >> Division 6. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 4.

(a) A person owning or operating a vessel used in connection with fishing operations for profit who has been issued a commercial boat registration pursuant to Section 7881 shall display, for the purpose of identification, a department registration number on the vessel in a manner designated by the department.
  (b) The method of displaying the registration number on the vessel shall be determined by the department after consultation with the Division of Boating and Waterways, taking into consideration the responsibilities and duties of the Division of Boating and Waterways as prescribed in the Harbors and Navigation Code.
  (c) The registration number is not transferable, and it is a permanent fixture upon the vessel for which it is originally issued.

(a) Every person who owns or operates a vessel in public waters in connection with fishing operations for profit in this state, or who brings fish into this state, or who, for profit, permits persons to fish therefrom, shall submit an application for commercial boat registration on forms provided by the department and shall be issued a registration number.
  (b) A commercial boat registration may be issued to any resident owner or operator of a vessel upon payment of a base fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250). The commercial boat registration shall be carried aboard the vessel at all times, and shall be posted in a conspicuous place.
  (c) A commercial boat registration may be issued to any nonresident owner or operator of a vessel upon payment of a base fee of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750). The commercial boat registration shall be carried aboard the vessel at all times and shall be posted in a conspicuous place.
  (d) If a registered vessel is lost, destroyed, or sold, the owner of the vessel shall immediately report the loss, destruction, or sale to the department.
  (e) This section does not apply to any person required to be licensed as a guide pursuant to Section 2536.
  (f) The base fees specified in this section are applicable to the 2004 license year, and shall be adjusted annually thereafter pursuant to Section 713.
  (g) The commission shall adjust the amount of the fees specified in subdivision (f), as necessary, to fully recover, but not exceed, all reasonable administrative and implementation costs of the department and the commission relating to those licenses.

The law relating to the subject of control of fishing in state waters when delivery is to points beyond state waters was adopted as an initiative measure at the General Election of November 8, 1938. The reference to Section 845 in the last sentence is to Sections 8630 to 8632, inclusive, of this code. It reads as follows: 1110--No person shall use or operate or assist in using or operating in this State or the waters thereof, any boat or vessel used in connection with fishing operations irrespective of its home port or port of registration, which fishing boat or vessel delivers or by which there is delivered to any point or place other than within this State any fish, mollusks or crustaceans which are caught in, or taken aboard said boat or vessel from, the waters of the Pacific Ocean within this State or on the high seas or elsewhere, unless a permit authorizing the same shall have been issued by the Fish and Game Commission. Where it appears to the commission that such permit will not tend to prevent, impede or obstruct the operation, enforcement or administration of this code or any provision thereof, and will not tend to result in fish, mollusks or crustaceans in the waters of this State being taken or used otherwise than is authorized by this code, the commission may issue revocable permits under such rules and regulations and upon such terms and conditions as it may prescribe to deliver fish, mollusks or crustaceans by the use of such boat or vessel outside of this State, provided that nothing herein shall authorize the transportation or carrying out of this State or any district thereof, of any fish, mollusks or crustaceans where the same is prohibited by law, and no permit shall be issued which may tend to deplete any species of fish, mollusk or crustacean, or result in waste thereof. Any person who uses or operates or assists in using or operating any boat or vessel in violation of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and such boat or vessel and the net, gear or other equipment of said boat or vessel is a public nuisance and shall be forfeited. It is the duty of every person authorized to make an arrest for the violation of any of the provisions of this code, to seize and keep such boat, vessel, net, gear or other equipment and to report such seizure to the commission. The commission shall thereupon commence, in the superior court of the county or city and county in which or nearest to which the seizure is made, proceedings for forfeiture of the seized property for its use in violation of this section, and such proceeding shall be had in the manner and according to the procedure provided by Section 845 of this code for the forfeiture of nets.

The department shall issue to any person owning or operating an aircraft used in connection with commercial fishing operations in this state an aircraft registration for that aircraft. The registration shall be carried aboard the aircraft at all times when the aircraft is used in connection with commercial fishing operations. The fee for a commercial aircraft registration shall be two hundred dollars ($200).