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

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

(2)  Serve as an information clearinghouse foraquaculture activities;

(3)  Coordinate development projects to investigateand solve biological and technical problems involved in raising selectedspecies with commercial potential;

(4)  Actively seek federal funding for aquacultureactivities;

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

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

(b)  The chairperson of the board may employtemporary staff exempt from chapter 76. [L 1998, c 176, §3; am L 2000, c253, §150]