(a) There is a Seafood Marketing Advisory Commission.
(b) The Commission consists of 13 members.
(c) Of the 13 Commission members:
(1) 1 shall be the Secretary of Agriculture or the designee of the Secretary of Agriculture, as an ex officio nonvoting member;
(2) 1 shall be the Secretary of Natural Resources or the designee of the Secretary of Natural Resources, as an ex officio nonvoting member;
(3) 5 shall represent the seafood packers in this State, at least 3 of whom shall be members of the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association;
(4) 2 shall be licensed Maryland watermen;
(5) 1 shall represent the retail food industry in this State;
(6) 1 shall represent the aquaculture industry in this State; and
(7) 2 shall be consumer members.
(d) (1) The Governor shall appoint the 3 members representing the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association from a list of names submitted to the Governor by the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association. The names on the list shall be three times the number of vacancies;
(2) Except for the ex officio members and the members representing the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association, the Governor shall appoint each member with the advice of the Secretary; and
(3) Except for the ex officio members, each member appointed by the Governor shall be appointed with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(e) Before taking office, each appointee to the Commission shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.
(f) The term of a member is 4 years.
(g) A member may not serve more than 2 terms on the Commission.
(h) The terms of the initial voting members of the Commission expire as follows:
(1) 2 in 1988;
(2) 3 in 1989;
(3) 3 in 1990; and
(4) 3 in 1991.
(i) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(j) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(k) The Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.
(l) The Commission shall assist the Seafood and Aquaculture Products Marketing Program in the Department in:
(1) Promoting increased consumption and distribution of Maryland seafood; and
(2) Seeking efficient methods to reduce cost and improve the quality and marketability of Maryland seafood.