Ocean Protection Council: White Shark Population Monitoring and Beach Safety Program.

Existing law establishes the Ocean Protection Council and prescribes the functions and duties of the council with respect to the protection and conservation of coastal waters and ocean ecosystems. Existing law requires the council to develop and implement a voluntary sustainable seafood promotion program. This bill would require the council, upon the appropriation of funding by the Legislature, to develop and implement a White Shark Population Monitoring and Beach Safety Program to award grants to academic institutions, public agencies, and nonprofit corporations engaged and experienced in, and local agencies assisting with, research regarding white sharks and to local agencies engaged in operations to promote public safety on California's beaches.