Ocean Fishery Research

Section 6590 contains eight legislative findings and declarations. Section 6591 contains definitions for the terms “advisory panel,” “committee,” and “program.”

Section 6592 established in state government the California Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program. The purpose of the program is to advance research on the artificial propagation, rearing, stocking, and distribution of marine fish species that are important to sport and commercial fishing in the ocean waters off the coast of California.

Section 6593 provides that the program is administered by the director with the advice of the advisory panel and the committee.

Section 6594 provides that, in order to advise the director in establishing policy and direction for the program, the director is required to establish the Ocean Resources Enhancement Advisory Panel. The advisory panel consists of seven specified members, all of whom are to be residents of California.

Section 6594.1 explains that, in order to foster a transparent and collaborative approach between the public, the advisory panel, and the director, and to advise the director and the advisory panel regarding the program, the director must establish an independent scientific advisory committee. The committee has to consist of members who collectively have expertise in the six specified areas. The committee must provide recommendations on four specified areas.

Section 6594.3 requires the director to convene an annual public meeting where the committee must present information regarding its evaluation of aspects of program science it completed during the preceding year and an outlook for future program activities. At the meeting, the director is required to provide information on the program’s compliance with any permitting requirements and the results of information solicited.

Section 6595 explains that all fees collected by the department pursuant to this article, and any interest earned on those fees, are to be deposited in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund and be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, solely for purposes of the program.

Section 6596.1 provides that, in addition to a valid California sport fishing license and any other applicable license validation issued pursuant to this code, a person taking fish from ocean waters south of a line extending due west from Point Arguello for purposes other than for profit must have a valid sport fishing ocean enhancement validation permanently affixed to his or her fishing license.

Section 6593.3 requires the director to provide for the solicitation of input from every person who pays a fee on the direction of the program. The director may contract with a public or private entity to undertake this solicitation.

Section 6597 allows the department to department may contract with any public or private entity to conduct research projects pursuant to this article.

Section 6597.5 requires this program to be open to participation by qualified academic institutions, as determined by the department, and nonprofit organizations, commercial aquaculturists, and for profit enterprises.