(a)
The department shall change the designation of the holder of a permit to the new owner of a permitted vessel upon change of ownership of the permitted vessel, whether the change of ownership is by contract, by operation of law, or otherwise.
(b)
The permit shall not be transferred to any other vessel, except by the issuance of a permit for use of the replacement vessel pursuant to subdivision (c) and Sections 8239 to 8241, inclusive.
(c)
The owner of the permitted vessel may seek to retire the permitted vessel from the commercial salmon fishery and apply for transfer of the permit, to be issued pursuant to Section 8241, for use of a replacement vessel.