Sturgeon Egg Processors

Division 6.5 of the California Fish and Game Code deals with sturgeon egg processors.

Section 10000 provides that every person engaged in the business of canning, curing, preserving, packing, or otherwise processing, or dealing at wholesale in, the eggs of sturgeon for human consumption must obtain a sturgeon egg processing license from the department for that purpose.

Possession of a sturgeon egg processing license issued pursuant to this division authorizes the licensee to can, cure, preserve, pack, or otherwise process, or deal at wholesale in, the eggs of sturgeon if, and only if, the eggs are lawfully taken or lawfully possessed.

Section 10001 requires a sturgeon egg processing license to be issued and delivered upon application and the payment of a base fee of $100 to the department. The license is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance.

Section 10002 requires every person licensed pursuant to this division to make a true and legible record of each transaction involving the eggs of sturgeon. This documentation is required to show all of the eight specified items.

Section 10003 requires specified documentation to be kept by the person or business holding the sturgeon egg processing license for a period of two years from the date of receipt of eggs and must be available for inspection during normal business hours by the department.

Section 10004 requires any information received or requested by the department to be confidential, and the records cannot be public records, except that the information contained in the records may be compiled and published as summaries in a manner that will not disclose the individual record or business of any person.

Section 10005 provides that any person convicted of a violation of this division or a violation of any other provision of this code or any regulation adopted relating to sturgeon must be prohibited from engaging in the business of canning, curing, preserving, packing, or otherwise processing, or dealing at wholesale or retail in the eggs of sturgeon in this state for one year from the date of the conviction.

The commission is required to revoke any license issued pursuant to this division to the person who is prohibited from engaging in that business under this section. No sturgeon egg processing license revoked pursuant to this section is to be issued, reissued, or reinstated during the period of prohibition prescribed in this section.