The duties of the council shall be advisory, except as to those duties that may be delegated to it by the secretary or as otherwise designated in this chapter. The council may, subject to the approval of the secretary, exercise any of the following powers that may be delegated to the council by the secretary:

(a) To recommend to the secretary regulations that relate to the administration and enforcement of this chapter.

(b) To investigate all matters that affect the administration of this chapter, and to report violations of this chapter to the secretary.

(c) To employ and, at its pleasure, discharge, a manager and any other employees it deems necessary, and to prescribe their duties and powers and fix their compensation.

(d) To contract for the services of any person.

(e) To establish offices and incur expenses incidental thereto.

(f) To make contracts and other agreements to research, develop, market, and promote the sale of seafood and seafood products from fisheries, as defined in Section 78407, and landed in California, on either a local, state, national, or international basis.

(g) (1) To cooperate with any other local, state, or national commission, organization, or agency, whether voluntary or created by state or federal law, which is engaged in work or activities similar to the work and activities of the council, and to recommend to the secretary the making of contracts and agreements with those organizations or agencies for carrying on joint programs of education, communication, research, publicity, and advertising.

(2) To recommend to the secretary the making of contracts and agreements with other councils, commodity commissions, or producer organizations for joint programs of publicity and advertising where those products are compatible with the promotion of seafood and seafood products from fisheries, as defined in Section 78407, and landed in California.

(3) In matters of research, to cooperate with organizations of recognized professional standing that are adequately equipped with facilities for the research that is contemplated.

(h) To recommend or contract for scientific research to effectuate the declared purposes of this chapter.

(i) To recommend or contract for the development of voluntary product quality standards.

(j) To promote accurate labeling of California seafood as a means to educate consumers and the public about the benefits of California seafood.

(k) To receive, invest, and disburse funds pursuant to Article 7 (commencing with Section 78550).

(l) To allocate funds to agencies not specifically or solely engaged in carrying on research or promotion for seafood, if the council and the secretary are satisfied that those allocations will be beneficial to the California commercial fisheries and will tend to effectuate the declared purposes of this chapter.

(m) To establish and regulate the permissive use of an official brand, service mark, trade name, label, or other distinctive designation of grade, quality, condition, or other promotional or educational description. Permissive use of any such official designation shall be limited to producers, handlers, or other persons designated by the council who are in compliance with all regulations or rules established by the council for use of the designation. Any designation established pursuant to this section shall not be construed as a private brand or trade name.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 726, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 1997.)