The purposes of this chapter are as follows:
(1) To encourage aquacultural operators to make a long-term commitment to aquaculture by offering them the same protections afforded other agricultural practices.(2) To reduce the amount of governmental agencies with jurisdiction over aquaculture by transferring authority over commercial aquacultural operations to the Department of Agriculture.(3) To encourage further development of the aquacultural industry by including aquaculture in any and all promotional and other economic developmental programs which are made available to other industry sectors.1998, Oct. 16, P.L. 768, No. 94, § 1, effective in 60 days.