There shall be a Sea Grant Advisory Panel consisting of 17 members as provided in Sections 6232, 6233, and 6234. The advisory panel shall do all of the following:
(a) Review all applications for funding under this section and make recommendations based upon the priorities it establishes.
(b) Periodically review progress on sea grant research projects subsequent to their approval and funding under this chapter.
(c) Make recommendations to the Secretary of the Resources Agency with respect to the implementation of this section.