(a) The department shall give priority to stocking native hatchery-produced species in California’s waters, where stocking is determined to be appropriate by the department. Stocking of hatchery-produced fish is not appropriate in all of California’s waters, including, but not limited to, stocking in California’s waters that would adversely affect species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.) or the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3).
(b) Hatchery-produced trout shall be stocked to support sustainable angling recreation and promote angler access to trout fishing, including, but not limited to, urban fisheries.
(c) The department may provide outreach and educational materials to all anglers to promote awareness of environmental sustainability, ecosystem health, fish genetics, angling opportunities, and fish population management.
(d) Educational programs utilizing the hatcheries shall be encouraged.
(e) The department shall ensure that all trout stocked in waters of the state for recreational purposes are unable to reproduce through triploidy or other means, with the exception of fish planted into brood stock lakes, surplus brood stock planted according to fishery management decisions, fish planted to supplement waters that the department has determined to be genetically isolated from native fish populations, and native trout species produced for recovery and restoration within their native range.
(f) The department may develop, conduct, and respond to regular angler preference and satisfaction surveys. This is not a substitute for a preferred scientific data collection and monitoring program that would facilitate adaptive management of California’s inland trout fisheries.
(g) The department shall review angling regulations periodically and adjust those regulations to ensure consistency with the strategic plan described in Section 1728.
(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 565, Sec. 12. (SB 1148) Effective January 1, 2013.)