The natural resource commission shall observe, administer, and enforce this chapter. The natural resource commission may adopt and enforce rules under chapter 17A as necessary to carry out this chapter.
The natural resource commission may:
1. Remove or cause to be removed from the waters of the state any aquatic species that in the judgment of the commission is an underused renewable resource or has a detrimental effect on other aquatic populations. All proceeds from a sale of these aquatic organisms shall be credited to the state fish and game protection fund.
2. Issue to any person a permit or license authorizing that person to take, possess, and sell underused, undesirable, or injurious aquatic organisms from the waters of the state. The person receiving a permit or license shall comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter.
3. Authorize the director to enter into written contracts for the removal of underused, undesirable, or injurious organisms from the waters of the state. The contracts shall specify all terms and conditions desired. Sections 482.4, 482.6, and 482.14 do not apply to these contracts.
4. Prohibit, restrict, or regulate commercial fishing, commercial turtle fishing, and commercial mussel fishing in any waters of the state.
5. Revoke the license of a licensee and the licensee's designated operators for up to one year if the licensee or any designated operator has been convicted of a violation of chapter 481A, 482, or 483A.
6. Regulate the numbers of commercial fishers, commercial turtle fishers, and commercial mussel fishers and the amount, type, seasonal use, mesh size, construction and design, manner of use, and other criteria relating to the use of commercial gear for any body of water or part thereof.
7. Establish catch quotas, seasons, size limits, and other regulations for any species of commercial fish, turtles, or mussels for any body of water or part thereof.
8. Designate by listing species as commercial fish, turtles, or mussels.
9. Designate any body of water or its part as protected habitat and restrict, prohibit, or otherwise regulate the taking of commercial fish, turtles, and mussels in protected habitat areas.
Employees of the commission may lift and inspect any commercial gear at any time when being used and may inspect commercial catches, commercial markets, and landings, and examine catch records of commercial fishers, commercial turtle fishers, and commercial mussel fishers upon demand.
Officers of the commission may seize and retain as evidence any illegal fish, turtles, or mussels, or any illegal commercial gear, or any other personal property used in violation of any provision of the Code, and may confiscate any untagged or illegal commercial gear as contraband.
86 Acts, ch 1141, § 1
C87, § 109B.1
87 Acts, ch 115, § 19
C93, § 482.1
Referred to in § 481A.67
Previous Section 481C.3
Next Section 482.2
© 2001 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa
Comments about this site or page?
webmaster@legis.iowa.gov.
Please remember that the person listed above does not vote on bills. Direct all comments concerning legislation to State Legislators.
Last update: Mon Jan 22 17:13:42 CST 2001
URL: /DOCS/IACODE/2001/482/1.html
jhf