(a) (1) Within the first six months of operation pursuant to an experimental permit and after a reasonable and concerted effort to utilize a new type of commercial fishing gear, the permittee may request that the experimental permit be terminated if it is economically infeasible to harvest the target species or if the alternative gear is impractical, inefficient, or ineffective within the fishery or regional area selected. The permittee shall submit copies of all landing receipts, a financial statement setting forth the expenses and any revenue generated by the operation of the alternative fishing gear, and a brief summary from any observers, monitors, and employees regarding the operation of the alternative fishing gear to the department. The department shall review the permittee’s submitted material.

(2) If the submitted material supports the claim that the new type of commercial fishing gear utilized by the permittee was either inefficient, impractical, or ineffective, or that it was not economically feasible for the permittee to harvest the target species, the department shall terminate the experimental permit and submit its findings to the State Coastal Conservancy. Upon receiving the department’s report, the State Coastal Conservancy may terminate the permittee’s loan. If the permittee returns the collateral fishing gear to the department, the State Coastal Conservancy shall reimburse the permittee from the loan fund for the principal amount of the loan repaid by the permittee. The department shall take possession of the fishing gear for the State Coastal Conservancy, which may resell the gear as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 8614.

(3) If the information does not support the claim made by the permittee, the department may still terminate the experimental permit. The State Coastal Conservancy may terminate the remaining balance on the loan if the permittee returns the collateral fishing gear to the department, but the State Coastal Conservancy shall not reimburse the permittee for previous loan payments.

(b) After six months of operation pursuant to an experimental permit, any request to terminate the permit for the reasons set forth in subdivision (a) shall include, in addition to the information required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), an explanation of the changed circumstances or reasons that cause the new type of gear to become inefficient, impractical, or ineffective or economically infeasible to harvest the target species after the initial six-month operating period. The department shall review the request and make its recommendation to the State Coastal Conservancy following the procedures set forth in subdivision (a). If the department terminates the experimental gear permit, the State Coastal Conservancy may terminate the remaining balance on the loan if the permittee returns the collateral fishing gear to the department, but it shall not reimburse the permittee for any loan payments received. The department shall take possession of the alternative fishing gear for the State Coastal Conservancy, which may resell the gear as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 8614.

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538, Sec. 191. Effective January 1, 2007.)