Article 6. Cooperative Salmon And Steelhead Rearing Facilities of California Fish And Game Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 6.

The department is authorized to enter into agreements with counties, nonprofit groups, private persons, individually or in combination, for the management and operation of rearing facilities for salmon and steelhead. All such agreements shall be in accordance with the policies of the commission and the criteria of the department which govern the operation under such agreements. The purpose for operating such facilities shall be to provide additional fishing resources and to augment natural runs.

An applicant who wishes to enter into an agreement to operate a rearing facility shall demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the department prior to executing such agreement, such applicant's financial ability to properly operate the rearing facility. The department shall develop and specify the means for an applicant to make such a demonstration.

All fish handled or released under authority of this article are the property of the state and may be taken only after their release into the wild and under the authority of a sport or commercial fishing license.

The release of fish reared in facilities pursuant to this article shall be made in accordance with the policy of the commission.

The department shall fund the agreements provided for in Section 1200 only on a matching basis with the persons or entities who enter into such agreements. Funds appropriated for the purposes of this article shall not be used to purchase equipment or for construction. The department shall be reimbursed from funds appropriated for the purposes of this article for administrative costs, legal costs, and supervisorial costs relating to the execution and supervision of such agreements by the department.

The department shall, subject to the limitations of appropriate egg sources and funding, make available fish of appropriate size and species to persons or entities who enter into agreements pursuant to this article.

Salmon and steelhead raised pursuant to this article shall be released in streams, rivers, or waters north of Point Conception and upon release shall have unimpeded access to the sea.