BILL NUMBER: AB 2684	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Stone
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Cooley and Fong)
   (Coauthor: Senator Evans)

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2014

   An act to add Section 1120.5 to the Fish and Game Code, relating
to fish.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2684, as introduced, Stone. Hatchery practices: salmonids.
   Existing law requires the Fish and Game Commission to establish
fish hatcheries for stocking the waters of California with fish and
requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to maintain and operate
such hatcheries. Existing law also authorizes county boards of
supervisors to establish and maintain fish hatcheries and authorizes
the commission to issue permits to nonprofit organizations to
construct and operate anadromous fish hatcheries.
   This bill would require the department to implement specified
policies and practices for hatchery salmonids reared or released in
California waters, including a requirement that hatchery salmon and
steelhead released in California waters be externally marked on the
top fin at a level to be determined by the department and that all
hatchery salmonids be coded-wire tagged prior to their release.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 1120.5 is added to the Fish and Game Code, to
read:
   1120.5.  The department shall implement policies and practices for
hatchery salmonids reared or released in California waters by
adopting all of the following:
   (a) Hatchery practices that improve the survival and fitness of
the hatchery population.
   (b) Hatchery practices that reduce the genetic and ecological
risks posed by hatchery juveniles and adults to wild and native
populations.
   (c) A requirement that hatchery salmon and steelhead released in
California waters be externally marked on the top fin at a level to
be determined by the department and that all hatchery salmonids be
coded-wire tagged prior to their release.