(a)
The Legislature finds and declares that for the purposes of sustainable fishery management and this part, essential fishery information is necessary for federally and state-managed marine fisheries important to the people of this state to provide sustainable economic and recreational benefits to the people of California. The Legislature further finds and declares that acquiring essential fishery information can best be accomplished through the ongoing cooperation and collaboration of participants in fisheries.
(b)
The department, to the extent feasible, shall conduct and support research to obtain essential fishery information for all marine fisheries managed by the state.
(c)
The department, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with Section 7059, shall encourage the participation of fishermen in fisheries research within a framework that ensures the objective collection and analysis of data, the collaboration of fishermen in research design, and the cooperation of fishermen in carrying out research.
(d)
The department may apply for grants to conduct research and may enter into contracts or issue competitive grants to public or private research institutions to conduct research.