370.31  Commercial production of sturgeon.--

(1)  INTENT.--The Legislature finds and declares that there is a need to encourage the continuation and advancement of work being done on aquaculture sturgeon production in keeping with the state's legislative public policy regarding aquaculture provided in chapter 597. It also finds that it is in the state's economic interest to promote the commercial production and stock enhancement of sturgeon. It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to hereby create a Sturgeon Production Working Group.

(2)  CREATION.--The Sturgeon Production Working Group is created within the Department of Environmental Protection and shall be composed of six members as follows:

(a)  The head of the sturgeon research program or designee from the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Such member shall be appointed by the University of Florida's Vice President for Agricultural Affairs.

(b)  One representative from the Department of Environmental Protection to be appointed by the Secretary of Environmental Protection.

(c)  One representative from the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission to be appointed by the executive director of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.

(d)  One representative from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to be appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture.

(e)  Two representatives from the aquaculture industry to be appointed by the Aquaculture Review Council.

(3)  MEETINGS; PROCEDURES; RECORDS.--The working group shall meet at least twice a year and elect, by a quorum, a chair, vice chair, and secretary. However, the working group shall call its first meeting within 1 month after October 1, 1996.

(a)  The chair of the working group shall preside at all meetings and shall call a meeting as often as necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. To call a meeting, the chair shall solicit an agreement to meet from at least two other working group members and then notify any remaining members of the meeting.

(b)  The secretary shall keep a complete record of the proceedings of each meeting, which includes the names of the members present at each meeting and the actions taken. Such records shall be kept on file with the Department of Environmental Protection with copies filed with the Department of Fisheries and Aquatics at the University of Florida. The records shall be public records pursuant to chapter 119.

(c)  A quorum shall consist of one representative from the Department of Environmental Protection, one representative from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and at least two other members.

(4)  PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITIES.--The purpose of the Sturgeon Production Working Group is to establish a state sturgeon aquaculture program to promote the commercial production and stock enhancement of sturgeon in Florida. In carrying out this purpose, the working group shall:

(a)  Establish a state sturgeon aquaculture program to inform public or private interested parties of how to aquaculturally produce sturgeon for commercial purposes and for stock enhancement. The program shall:

1.  Determine how sturgeon can be produced commercially for its meat and roe in the state.

2.  Determine how sturgeon can be used for stock enhancement in areas designated by the Department of Environmental Protection in consultation with the Sturgeon Production Working Group.

(b)  Seek federal help and cooperation in obtaining the appropriate permits to establish the state sturgeon aquaculture program.

(c)  Prepare a state sturgeon production and stock enhancement plan to implement the state sturgeon aquaculture program. The plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1.  Research needed to support the commercial production of sturgeon for meat and roe and stock enhancement in the state.

2.  Studies needed to determine the economic impact on the state and the best marketing strategies for producing sturgeon for its meat and roe.

3.  Permits and other requirements currently needed to commercially produce sturgeon and enhance sturgeon stock in the state and a strategy for obtaining such permits or requirements.

4.  The timetable for implementation and completion of the plan's components.

5.  The implementation date for the state sturgeon aquaculture program.

(d)  Prepare a report to be submitted within 1 year after October 1, 1996, to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chairs of the legislative ways and means, appropriations, and agriculture committees. This report shall include, but not be limited to:

1.  The status of the state sturgeon aquaculture program.

2.  The status of the state sturgeon production and stock enhancement plan.

3.  Other Florida public or private agencies, if any, doing research on sturgeon production.

4.  Any recommendations necessary to carry out the purpose of this section.