[§141-2.5]  Aquaculture program.  (a) 
There is established within the department an aquaculture program that shall:



(1)  Maintain cognizance of actions taken by industry
and by federal, state, county, and private agencies in activities relating to
aquaculture, and promote and support worthwhile aquaculture activities;



(2)  Serve as an information clearinghouse for
aquaculture activities;



(3)  Coordinate development projects to investigate
and solve biological and technical problems involved in raising selected
species with commercial potential;



(4)  Actively seek federal funding for aquaculture
activities;



(5)  Undertake activities required to develop and
expand the aquaculture industry; and



(6)  Perform such other functions and activities as
may be assigned by law.



(b)  The chairperson of the board may employ
temporary staff exempt from chapter 76. [L 1998, c 176, §3; am L 2000, c
253, §150]