§9902-C. Executive director; appointment; term; duties

1. Appointment. The board shall appoint an executive director, who must be selected on the basis of administrative ability and general knowledge of fisheries management. The executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the board and may not hold any other office. The executive director shall devote full time to the duties of this position and is the chief administrative official of the commission.

2. Powers and duties. The executive director shall manage the administrative and financial matters of the commission in accordance with policies established by the board. The executive director shall execute the directives of the commission and has the following powers and duties:

A. To employ personnel and staff in accordance with state procedures;

B. To develop and implement programs authorized by the board;

C. To accept grants, donations of monetary value or land necessary to achieve the goals of the commission;

D. With the advice and consent of the board, to adopt, repeal and amend rules, including emergency rules, necessary for proper administration, implementation, enforcement and interpretation of the commission's authority;

E. To act as a legislative liaison for the commission;

F. To enter into cooperative agreements with the Department of Marine Resources and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in resource policy matters and in field biology activities;

G. To enter into contractual agreements with other state agencies and private business to achieve the goals of the commission;

H. To work with other state, federal, international and private entities to ensure completion of the commission's goals; and

I. To oversee fish culture operations for Atlantic salmon that are not raised by means of aquaculture.; and