(1) Existing law establishes the California Sea Urchin Commission in state government and vests the commission with various power and duties, including establishing an assessment for each pound of sea urchin landed or delivered by divers to handlers in the state. Existing law authorizes the commission to consult and enter into agreements with the Director of Fish and Wildlife, if necessary and appropriate, to assist in the administration and enforcement of specified provisions of the Food and Agricultural Code related to sea urchins, including, but not limited to, collecting assessments and providing routine information regarding the persons that may be subject to these provisions.
This bill would additionally authorize the commission to enter into an agreement with the director regarding the expenses associated with the
distribution of $200 of the total fee for a sea urchin permit.
(2) Existing law provides that sea urchins shall not be taken for commercial purposes except under a valid sea urchin diving permit, subject to regulations adopted by the Fish and Game Commission. Existing law establishes a $330 fee for the permit. Unless another penalty is expressly provided, existing law makes a violation of the Fish and Game Code, or of any rule, regulation, or order made or adopted under the code, a misdemeanor.
This bill would require the Fish and Game Commission to adopt regulations related to commercial sea urchin diving permits, and to the vessels used to commercially fish for sea urchin, to better manage the number of permits issued. Because a violation of these regulations would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would increase the fee for a sea urchin diving permit by
$200, and would require the department to distribute that amount, less the department’s distribution expenses, to the California Sea Urchin Commission for expenditure pursuant to that commission’s authority. The bill would authorize the California Sea Urchin Commission to revoke the $200 portion of the fee before February 1 of each calendar year.
(3) Existing law establishes various requirements with respect to the taking of fish commercially using traps, fishing lines, and other appliances.
This bill would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to adopt regulations regarding the marking and color coding of lines used in state managed fisheries. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.
(4) Existing law requires the owner of an aquaculture facility to register certain information with
the Department of Fish and Wildlife by March 1 of each year, and requires the department to impose prescribed fees for registration and renewal. Existing law also requires, in addition to the registration and renewal fees, a surcharge fee to be paid at the time of registration by the owner of an aquaculture facility if the gross annual sales of aquaculture products of the facility during the prior calendar year exceed $25,000. Existing law imposes a penalty for delinquent payment of fees. Existing law, until January 1, 2023, 2024, increases those registration, renewal, surcharge, and penalty fees, as prescribed.
This bill would extend the operation of the increased registration, renewal, surcharge, and penalty fees until January 1, 2027.
2025.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.