Connecticut General Statutes Title 22. Agriculture. Domestic Animals § 22-455. Connecticut Seafood Development Council. Membership. Funding. Authority

(a) There is established a Connecticut Seafood Development Council to assist in the promotion of Connecticut seafood products and examine market opportunities. The development council shall be within the Department of Agriculture. The development council shall consist of the following thirteen members: (1) The Commissioner of Agriculture, or the commissioner's designee; (2) the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, or the commissioner's designee; (3) the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, or the commissioner's designee; (4) the director of the Sea Grant Program at The University of Connecticut, or the director's designee; (5) one freshwater finfish producer appointed by the Governor; (6) one aquaculture finfish producer appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; (7) one commercial marine finfish harvester appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; (8) one commercial lobster harvester appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; (9) one shellfish wholesale dealer appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture; (10) one representative of the Connecticut Restaurant Association; (11) one small-scale aquaculture producer appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; (12) one seaweed aquaculture producer appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; and (13) one shellfish harvester appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. The Commissioner of Agriculture, or the commissioner's designee, shall serve as the chairperson of the development council.

(b) The development council may receive state, federal and municipal funds and funds from any nonprofit or nongovernmental organization. Such funds may be expended as necessary to perform the development council's duties pursuant to this section. The development council may seek funding for and provide financial support to organizations for activities directly related to seafood production and any related products.