Section 27-2-23.2. Salt water fishing guide licenses; fees; reporting requirements

   (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the occupation of salt water fishing guide without holding a valid annual salt water fishing guide license pursuant to the provisions of this Code section.

(b) (1) A salt water fishing guide who possesses a valid United States Coast Guard operator of passenger vessel license may purchase an annual customer fishing license pursuant to the provisions of this Code section, which license shall cover all fee-paying anglers while fishing with such guide during the license year; and all such anglers while so covered shall be exempt from fishing license requirements otherwise applicable under this title.

   (2) Any person operating a single hotel or motel facility having a salt water fishing pier or piers may purchase an annual salt water fishing pier license pursuant to the provisions of this Code section, which license shall cover all anglers while fishing from such salt water fishing pier during the license year; and all such anglers while so covered shall be exempt from fishing license requirements otherwise applicable under this title.

(c) Fees for licenses required under this Code section shall be as follows:

   (1) (A) Resident salt water fishing guide license, $25.00;

      (B) Nonresident salt water fishing guide license, $50.00;

   (2) (A) (i) Customer fishing license for a resident salt water fishing guide carrying six or fewer fee-paying anglers, $150.00;

         (ii) Customer fishing license for a resident salt water fishing guide carrying an unlimited number of fee-paying anglers, $400.00;

      (B) Customer fishing license for a nonresident salt water fishing guide, $400.00; and

   (3) Salt water fishing pier license, $400.00.

(d) Each person who holds a salt water fishing guide license or salt water fishing pier license pursuant to the provisions of this Code section shall report such information as required by the department at such times and in such manner as the board provides by rule or regulation.

Code 1981, § 27-2-23.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 783, § 10; Ga. L. 2007, p. 91, § 2/HB 81.