(a) (1) If the Director of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in consultation with the State Public Health Officer, determines, based on thorough and adequate scientific evidence, that any species or subspecies of fish is likely to pose a human health risk from high levels of toxic substances, the Director of Fish and Wildlife may order the closure of any waters or otherwise restrict the taking in state waters of that species.
(2) After the Director of Fish and Wildlife orders the closure of any waters or restricts the taking of any species of fish pursuant to paragraph (1), he or she shall notify the commission and request that the commission schedule a public discussion of the closure or restriction at its next scheduled full commission meeting.
(b) (1) When the Director of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in consultation with the State Public Health Officer, determines that a health risk no longer exists, the Director of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment shall notify the Director of Fish and Wildlife and shall request that any waters closed pursuant to subdivision (a) be reopened for fishing and any restrictions imposed pursuant to subdivision (a) be lifted.
(2) Upon receiving the notification and request pursuant to paragraph (1), the Director of Fish and Wildlife shall open any waters closed pursuant to subdivision (a) and lift any restrictions imposed pursuant to subdivision (a) in a manner that promotes a fair and orderly fishery.
(c) Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code does not apply to actions taken pursuant to this section.
(Added by renumbering Section 7715 by Stats. 2016, Ch. 542, Sec. 3. (SB 1287) Effective January 1, 2017.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018