(a) The commissioner shall assist in and encourage the formation of qualified regional associations for the purpose of enhancing salmon production. A regional association is qualified if the commissioner determines that it
- (1) is comprised of associations representative of commercial fishermen in the region;
- (2) includes representatives of other user groups interested in fisheries within the region who wish to belong; and
- (3) possesses a board of directors that includes no less than one representative of each user group that belongs to the association.