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HomeFish and Game CodeDiv. 12Ch. 1§ 15003 Aquaculture Fee Assessment Rules

§ 15003 Aquaculture Fee Assessment Rules

Fish and Game Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 15003 Aquaculture Fee Assessment Rules

This law lets the state charge a fee to people who grow aquaculture products on public lands and waters, based on how much they sell, and requires the fee to be paid each month with a penalty if it's late.

Key Takeaways

  • •A fee is charged based on the price per pound of the aquaculture product sold.
  • •The fee amount cannot be higher than the rate listed in Section 8051.
  • •The fee must be paid each month, and a 10% late fee applies if payment is more than 60 days late.

Example

A fisherman who farms tilapia in a lake on public land sells 500 pounds of fish each month.

The state charges a fee per pound of tilapia sold. If the fee rate is $0.50 per pound, the fisherman owes $250 each month. If he pays after 60 days, he must add a 10% penalty.

How to Calculate

Fee = (Price per pound) × (Weight in pounds)

  1. Find the price per pound set by the department (e.g., $0.50).
  2. Determine how many pounds of product were harvested or sold during the month (e.g., 500 lbs).
  3. Multiply the price per pound by the weight to get the monthly fee.
  4. If payment is late, add a 10% penalty: Penalty = Fee × 0.10, then Total due = Fee + Penalty.

A grower harvests 300 pounds of catfish in a month when the set price is $0.40 per pound.

Result: 120

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 15003 Aquaculture Fee Assessment Rules

(a) The department may assess a fee on persons growing aquaculture products on public lands and in public waters based on the price per pound of the products sold. The fees, if imposed, shall be set at amounts necessary to defray the costs of the commission and the department in administering this division. However, the fees, if any, may not exceed the rates as provided in Section 8051. (b) The price per pound shall be based on the whole product weight or its equivalent as taken by the lessee. (c) The fee imposed by this section shall be paid monthly to the department within 30 days after the close of each month. If not paid within 60 days after the close of the month in which it is due, a 10 percent penalty shall be paid. (Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 26, Sec. 37. (SB 92) Effective June 27, 2017.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

aquaculture productspublic landspublic watersprice per poundfeepenalty

Related Statutes

  • § 12002.4 Commercial Fishing Boat Registration Revocation
  • § 12025 Cannabis Cultivation Penalties
  • § 15002 Aquaculture Product Theft
  • § 15005 Aquaculture Product Transportation Rules
  • § 8030 Fish Business Licensing Exemptions

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Fish and Game Code. Section 15003.
View Official Source