SECTIONS 1200-1206

1200.  The department is authorized to enter into agreements withcounties, nonprofit groups, private persons, individually or incombination, for the management and operation of rearing facilitiesfor salmon and steelhead. All such agreements shall be in accordancewith the policies of the commission and the criteria of thedepartment which govern the operation under such agreements. The purpose for operating such facilities shall be to provideadditional fishing resources and to augment natural runs.1201.  An applicant who wishes to enter into an agreement to operatea rearing facility shall demonstrate, to the satisfaction of thedepartment prior to executing such agreement, such applicant'sfinancial ability to properly operate the rearing facility. Thedepartment shall develop and specify the means for an applicant tomake such a demonstration.1202.  All fish handled or released under authority of this articleare the property of the state and may be taken only after theirrelease into the wild and under the authority of a sport orcommercial fishing license.1203.  The release of fish reared in facilities pursuant to thisarticle shall be made in accordance with the policy of thecommission.1204.  The department shall fund the agreements provided for inSection 1200 only on a matching basis with the persons or entitieswho enter into such agreements. Funds appropriated for the purposesof this article shall not be used to purchase equipment or forconstruction. The department shall be reimbursed from funds appropriated for thepurposes of this article for administrative costs, legal costs, andsupervisorial costs relating to the execution and supervision of suchagreements by the department.1205.  The department shall, subject to the limitations ofappropriate egg sources and funding, make available fish ofappropriate size and species to persons or entities who enter intoagreements pursuant to this article.1206.  Salmon and steelhead raised pursuant to this article shall bereleased in streams, rivers, or waters north of Point Conception andupon release shall have unimpeded access to the sea.