The department shall foster the commercial and recreational use of the aquatic environment for production of food, fibre, income, and public enjoyment from state-owned aquatic lands and from associated waters, and to this end the department may develop and improve production and harvesting of seaweeds and sealife attached to or growing on aquatic land or contained in aquaculture containers, but nothing in this section alters the responsibility of other state agencies for their normal management of fish, shellfish, game, and water.

Intent—2003 c 334: See note following RCW 79.02.010.