(a) In the waters of the Pacific Ocean that are regulated by this state, it is unlawful to spawn, incubate, or cultivate any species of finfish belonging to the family Salmonidae, transgenic fish species, or any exotic species of finfish. Except as authorized pursuant to subdivision (d), it is unlawful to spawn, incubate, or cultivate any transgenic species of finfish belonging to the family Salmonidae in this state. This section does not apply to salmon or steelhead trout reared from native California stocks that are propagated and cultured for either of the following:

(1) Research conducted by, or on behalf of, the department.

(2) Release into ocean waters for the purpose of recovery, restoration, or enhancement of California’s native salmon and steelhead trout populations pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 6900) of Part 1 of Division 6.

(b) Nothing in this section authorizes artificial propagation, rearing, or stocking of transgenic freshwater and marine fishes, invertebrates, crustaceans, or mollusks.

(c) Research or experimentation for the commercial production of transgenic salmonids is prohibited.

(d) (1) Medical or scientific research conducted on transgenic finfish species by accredited California academic institutions or private entities for research only and not for commercial production may be authorized pursuant to a permit issued by the department pursuant to Section 671 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, as that section read on May 14, 2003.

(2) At a minimum, research activities conducted pursuant to this subdivision shall be conducted in a closed system that has eliminated the risk of escape of transgenic finfish species and any potential disease they may transmit.

(3) A permit application applied for pursuant to this subdivision shall include a research plan specifying the objectives and goals of the proposed research.

(4) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to require the disclosure of proprietary information.

(e) The department shall notify the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture and the commission upon receipt of a permit application applied for pursuant to subdivision (d) at least 30 days prior to the approval or disapproval of the permit.

(f) As used in this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Exotic species” means a fish that is not native to California waters and that does not currently exist as a viable population in a wild condition in the state.

(2) “Transgenic” has the same meaning as in Section 1.92 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, as that section read on May 14, 2003.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 444, Sec. 3. (AB 504) Effective January 1, 2015.)