Artificial reefs.

Existing law establishes a California Artificial Reef Program, administered by the Department of Fish and Game, to include the placement of artificial reefs in state waters and a prescribed study of existing successful reefs and new reefs to determine design criteria. "Artificial reef" is defined for that purpose to mean manmade or natural objects intentionally placed in selected areas of the marine environment to duplicate those conditions that induce production of fish and invertebrates on natural reefs and rough bottoms, and that stimulate the growth of kelp or other midwater plant life that creates natural habitat for those species. This bill would delete that definition and, instead, define "artificial reef" to mean a structure that is constructed or placed in certain waters for the purposes of enhancing fishery resources and commercial and recreational fishing opportunities and to provide recreational SCUBA diving opportunities. The bill would require the department to designate a California State Artificial Reef Coordinator with specified responsibilities under the bill. The bill would authorize the department to impose a fee on any person or entity seeking to place or convert any object or structure as an artificial reef, not to exceed the actual costs to the department of evaluating the proposed project.