California § 6594.1 - In order to foster a transparent and collaborative approach between the public, t

§ 6594.1. In order to foster a transparent and collaborative approach between the public, t

(a) In order to foster a transparent and collaborative approach between the public, the advisory panel, and the director, and to advise the director and the advisory panel regarding the program, the director shall establish an independent scientific advisory committee. (b) The committee shall consist of members who collectively have expertise in the following areas: (1) Fish genetics. (2) Fish health. (3) Marine aquaculture. (4) Fish population biology or dynamics. (5) Benthic or water quality. (6) Stock enhancement or fish hatchery science. (c) The committee may also include members who have expertise in other areas that the director determines to be relevant to the program. (d) The committee shall provide advice to the director and the advisory panel in order to help ensure the scientific integrity and transparency in science-based decisionmaking of program activities. The committee shall provide recommendations on all of the following: (1) Ensuring the documentation of the program’s scientific accomplishments, if needed. (2) Prioritizing program research activities based upon an independent evaluation of program research needs and a consideration of the report described in subdivision (a) of Section 6594.5. In providing this recommendation, the committee shall consider at least all of the following: (A) Systematic data collection in order to inform adaptive management of the program’s enhancement activities. (B) The impacts of the program’s enhancement activities. (C) The incorporation of best practices in hatchery science to, among other things, maintain the genetic diversity of stocked species. (3) Identifying candidate focal species for enhancement or research potential. (4) Developing quantitative criteria, benchmarks, and timelines to be used in evaluating the program and its activities. (e) Each member of the committee shall receive one hundred dollars ($100) for each day of actual service performed in carrying out their official duties, but the amount of compensation for any one member shall not exceed the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) for any calendar year. In addition to this compensation, the members of the committee shall receive their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The compensation and expenses provided in this subdivision shall be paid from funds made available to the program pursuant to Section 6595. (f) The establishment of the committee pursuant to this section does not limit the director’s discretion to seek scientific and technical advice regarding the program from other sources. (g) Department personnel shall provide support for the committee’s efforts, as applicable and needed. (h) The director shall appoint members to the committee. The director shall determine the number of members to serve on the committee. Members of the committee shall serve at the pleasure of the director.