Notwithstanding Sections 12000, 12001, and 12002, the commercial fishing license of the master of a vessel may be revoked or suspended by the commission, when requested by the department, for a period not to exceed one year, upon conviction of the master or his agent, servant, employee, or person acting under his direction or control, for a violation of Section 7121 or the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, if the fish in question were taken from a vessel licensed pursuant to Section 7920.
However, a master’s license shall not be revoked for the conviction of a violation occurring when the person convicted was not acting as the master’s agent, servant, employee, or acting under his direction or control.
The master of a vessel is the person on board the vessel who is in charge of the vessel.