1999 Florida Code
TITLE XXXV AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AND ANIMAL INDUSTRY
Chapter 597 Aquaculture  
597.003   Powers and duties of Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

597.003  Powers and duties of Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.--

(1)  The department is hereby designated as the lead agency in encouraging the development of aquaculture in the state and shall have and exercise the following functions, powers, and duties with regard to aquaculture:

(a)  Issue or deny aquaculture certificates that identify aquaculture producers and aquaculture products, and collect all related fees.

(b)  Coordinate the development, annual revision, and implementation of a state aquaculture plan. The plan shall include prioritized recommendations for research and development as suggested by the Aquaculture Review Council, the Aquaculture Interagency Coordinating Council, and public and private institutional research, extension, and service programs.

(c)  Develop memoranda of agreement, as needed, with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Sea Grant Program, and other groups as provided in the state aquaculture plan.

(d)  Provide staff for the Aquaculture Review Council and the Aquaculture Interagency Coordinating Council.

(e)  Forward the annually revised state aquaculture plan to the commissioner and to the chairs of the House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Senate Committee on Agriculture 1 month prior to submission of the department's legislative budget request to the Governor.

(f)  Submit the list of research and development projects proposed to be funded through the department as identified in the state aquaculture plan, along with the department's legislative budget request to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(g)  Provide developmental assistance to the various sectors of the aquaculture industry as determined in the state aquaculture plan.

(h)  Assist persons seeking to engage in aquaculture when applying for the necessary permits and serve as ombudsman to resolve complaints or otherwise resolve problems arising between aquaculture producers and regulatory agencies.

(i)  Develop and propose to the Legislature legislation necessary to implement the state aquaculture plan or to otherwise encourage the development of aquaculture in the state.

(j)  Issue or deny any license or permit authorized or delegated to the department by the Legislature or through memorandum of understanding with other state or federal agencies that furthers the intent of the Legislature to place the regulation of aquaculture in the department.

(2)  The department may employ such persons as are necessary to perform its duties under this chapter.

History.--s. 3, ch. 84-90; s. 1, ch. 86-111; s. 5, ch. 87-367; s. 2, ch. 88-377; s. 10, ch. 91-187; s. 3, ch. 93-152; s. 467, ch. 94-356; s. 26, ch. 96-247; s. 25, ch. 98-333; s. 225, ch. 99-245.