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 1120.5 is added to the Fish and Game
2Code, to read:
The department shall implement policies and practices
4for hatchery salmonids reared or released in California waters by
5adopting all of the following:
6(a) Hatchery practices that improve the survival and fitness of
7the hatchery population.
8(b) Hatchery practices that reduce the genetic and ecological
9risks posed by hatchery juveniles and adults to wild and native
10populations.
11(c) A requirement that hatchery salmon and steelhead released
12in California waters be externally marked on the top fin at a level
13to be determined by the department and that all hatchery salmonids
14be coded-wire tagged prior to their
release.
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