C.__The department shall submit an annual report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife matters no later than March 1st of each year on the use of gill nets by department personnel.__The report must include a summary of each use of gill nets, indicating the following:

(1)__The specific purpose for which the gill nets were used;

(2)__The date of each use;

(3)__The location of each use by water body, town and county; and

(4)__The number and mortality of each species of fish taken by gill nets.

4.__Permits allowing use of gill nets by other state agencies.__ The department may authorize the use of gill nets by other state agencies for purposes of scientific research or public safety projects.

A.__The authority granted to the department under this subsection is subject to the following constraints.

(1)__Any authorization by the department for another state agency to utilize gill nets must be given through written permit.

(2)__Both ends of the gill net must be marked with buoys that are clearly visible from a distance of 300 feet and that identify the state agency responsible for setting the net.

(3)__The results of each netting must be forwarded on a weekly basis to the department, and the records of the results must be available for public inspection at the department.

SUBCHAPTER 3

ENDANGERED SPECIES; MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH

§12801. Declaration of purpose