Labeling of seafood isn’t necessarily a recreational issue, but it is a public safety/consumer issue and a big issue for WDFW Enforcement. What it essentially is a piece of seafood is labeled as another, typically for economic gain in the seller. What often occurs is sellers label a low grade piece of seafood as a higher grade. Such as selling chum salmon, but labeling it as sockeye or king salmon. If you think its not common, it is a worldwide issue that is getting bigger. What this bill does is clarifies the law, makes it more effective to enforce, and stiffens penalties.
Mislabeling seafood with a value under $500 would be a misdemeanor. Mislabeling with a value $500-5,000 is a gross mideameanor. Mislabeling with a value over $5,000 is a class c felony.
There are two bills for this legislation. House Bill 1200 sponsored by Reps Blake, Wilcox, Takko, Lytton, Klippert, Van De Wege, Nealey Stanford, and Short. Senate Bill 5037 is the same legislation and is sponsored by Senators Ranker, Shin, and Rolfes
http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?Bill=1200&year=2013http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?bill=5037&year=2013
