§ 13-0501. Marine and coastal district of New York conservation, education, and research grants program. 1. There is hereby created within the department the marine and coastal district of New York conservation, education, and research grants program. The program shall make grants available to eligible recipients for conservation, research, and education projects relating to such marine and coastal district. For purposes of this title, the term "eligible recipients" shall mean not-for-profit corporations located within New York state whose purpose is to promote sport fishing, increase participation in recreational angling, increase public awareness and appreciation of aquatic natural resources, encourage conservation of fisheries resources, or promote research relating to the marine and coastal district of New York. 2. The grants program may include funding for programs containing elements such as, but not limited to, the following:

(a) educational programs which raise public awareness and appreciation of the need for protecting, conserving, and restoring the state of New York's aquatic natural resources.

(b) research relating to the marine and coastal district of New York.

(c) production of informational materials in print, audio, video, electronic, or other media.

(d) production and distribution of exhibits, public service announcements, and advertisements.

(e) programs which promote angling and sport fishing through information and/or training. 3. The commissioner may accept grants from public or private sources for the program. Any such monies shall be deposited in the marine and coastal district of New York conservation, education, and research fund established pursuant to section ninety-five-c of the state finance law. The commissioner, in administering this section, shall seek to coordinate the program with other public and private efforts, and may undertake joint or cooperative programs with other public or private entities. 4. The commissioner shall make rules and regulations necessary and appropriate for the implementation of this section.