The State Fish and Wildlife Commission shall adopt rules governing the disposition of carcasses of adult hatchery-produced fish returning to hatchery facilities that include but are not limited to requirements that:

1. (1) At least 45 percent of the carcasses from all adult hatchery-produced fish that return to hatchery facilities, averaged over 10 years, beginning in a year after the rules are adopted, must be retained and placed at seasonally appropriate times in natural spawning and rearing areas to enhance nutrient recycling, consistent with pathology constraints; and

2. (2) When selling eggs and carcasses from hatchery facilities to provide revenues to support hatchery programs and facilities, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife shall prioritize sales to, in the following order:

   1. (a) Oregon small businesses in communities with high rates of unemployment; and
   2. (b) Other Oregon small businesses.

Note: 498.850 was added to and made a part of the wildlife laws by legislative action but was not added to ORS chapter 498 or any series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

[2021 c.258 §2]