(1) To carry out the provisions of this article, the commissioner is authorized to adopt appropriate rules pursuant to section 244-103, C.R.S., including but not limited to rules concerning the following:
Fees to fund all direct and indirect costs of the administration and enforcement of thisarticle and article 5.5 of title 33, C.R.S.;
Standards applicable to products of cultured aquatic stock offered for sale; and
The establishment of standards for and certification of private aquaculture facilities,which may include standards for commercial aquaculturists.
Nothing in this section diminishes or supersedes the authority of the division or theparks and wildlife commission to regulate or manage wild populations of aquatic organisms in the waters of the state or in facilities controlled or managed by the division or by the United States fish and wildlife service.
The commissioner shall institute appropriate programs to assist in the protection,growth, and promotion of the aquaculture industry in the state.
The commissioner shall provide facilities and support to the board for use in carryingout its duties.
The commissioner shall provide for the issuance of permits for aquaculture facilitiesand shall establish permit fees to offset the costs of regulating the aquaculture industry.
The commissioner shall enforce all rules and regulations concerning aquaculture except those which relate to fish health, or to the spread of aquatic diseases, or to the importation into the state or the distribution and management of any exotic aquatic species, all of which rules and regulations shall be enforced by the division.
The commissioner may contract for the services of any certified aquatic disease laboratory or certified aquatic disease specialist in this state or in any other state, or with any other government agency, through intergovernmental agreement, contract, or memorandum of understanding to implement and enforce the rules and regulations of the commissioner.
The commissioner may quarantine aquaculture facilities subject to the review of theaquaculture board pursuant to section 35-24.5-105 (3).
Nothing in this section shall be construed to conflict with or to supersede the authority of the Colorado department of public health and environment to regulate the growing, harvesting, and shipping of molluskan shellfish or any other processed fish or seafood products intended for human consumption.
Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 193, § 1, effective June 7. L. 94: (9) amended, p. 2804, § 574, effective July 1. L. 2012: (2) amended, (HB 12-1317), ch. 248, p. 1236, § 96, effective June 4.