(a) General rule.--It is unlawful for any person to operate a charter boat or fishing guide operation on the waters of this Commonwealth without first obtaining a charter boat/fishing guide permit from the commission and paying the fee specified in section 2715 (relating to license, permit and issuing agent fees).

(b) Issuing agent status.--Holders of charter boat/fishing guide permits may be designated as special issuing agents for the purpose of selling to their customers One-Day Resident Fishing Licenses, One-Day Tourist Fishing Licenses, Three-Day Tourist Fishing Licenses, Seven-Day Tourist Fishing Licenses, trout permits, special permits to fish in Lake Erie and tributaries and combination trout permits and Lake Erie permits for the fees specified in section 2715.

(c) Penalties.--Any person who operates as a fishing guide or operates a charter boat on the waters of this Commonwealth without first obtaining the necessary permit commits a summary offense of the first degree and shall, in addition to any other fine or penalty, pay an additional fine equal to two times the charter boat/fishing guide permit required of that person. Any person violating any other provision of this section or any rule or regulation promulgated under this section commits a summary offense of the second degree.

(d) Regulations.--The commission may promulgate rules and regulations for fishing guides and charter boats.

(e) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

“Charter boat.” A boat operated as a commercial enterprise which carries passengers for hire for the purpose of fishing on the waters of this Commonwealth.

“Commercial enterprise.” An operation where a person provides fishing guide or charter boat services in exchange for any consideration, including money, goods or services.

“Fishing guide.” A person who operates a commercial enterprise whereby he guides or leads other persons for the purpose of fishing on the waters of this Commonwealth.