(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, in any calendar year in which a fisherman who is selling to the public lands, or a receiver receives, less than 10,000 pounds in the aggregate of fish or shellfish in all fisheries combined or for which the annual fees that would otherwise be due by that fisherman or receiver to the council for those fish or shellfish totals less than twenty-five dollars ($25), the fisherman selling to the public or the receiver shall not pay any fees pursuant to this chapter.

(b) In any calendar year in which a fisherman who is selling to the public lands, or a receiver receives, 10,000 pounds or more in the aggregate of fish or shellfish in all fisheries combined, or for which the annual fees that are due by that fisherman or receiver to the council for those fish or shellfish totals twenty-five dollars ($25) or more, the fisherman selling to the public or the receiver shall remit the fees on or before February 28 of the year following the landing or receipt. Any fees that are not received on or before February 28 of the year following the landing or receipt of fish or shellfish for which the fees are due is delinquent and subject to collection pursuant to Section 78554.

(c) If, in any calendar year, a fisherman lands less than 10,000 pounds in the aggregate of fish or shellfish in all fisheries combined, and has paid fees to the council, the fisherman may apply for a refund of the amount paid, not to exceed a total of twenty-five dollars ($25). An application for refund shall be submitted on a form supplied by the council and shall include documentation in the form of landing receipts submitted to the Department of Fish and Game pursuant to Section 8046 of the Fish and Game Code for all species landed and proof of fees paid. Applications for refunds shall be received at the council office on or before March 31 of the year following the landing or receipt of fish or shellfish for which the fees were paid.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 726, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 1997.)