(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the funding provided by this chapter is needed to stimulate the development and utilization of ocean and coastal resources by working constructively with private sector firms and individuals.

(b) The Legislature further recognizes the high productivity of the California Sea Grant College Program, the only statewide program systematically devoted to supporting fundamental research, education, and extension activities on the diversity of problems related to marine resources protection and development.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 293, Sec. 5. Effective August 18, 1997.)