1. a. The Governor shall, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint a State Oceanographer, who shall be a resident of the State with expertise in oceanography. The State Oceanographer shall serve for a term of five years, or until a successor is appointed, and may be reappointed. The State Oceanographer shall provide advice and assistance, when requested, to the Governor, the Legislature, and the various departments and agencies of State government on issues involving the ocean, and serve as a member of the New Jersey Coastal and Ocean Protection Council established pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2007, c.288 (C.13:19-36).
b. On or before April 1 of each year, the State Oceanographer shall prepare and transmit an annual report for the preceding calendar year to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature. The annual report shall detail the activities of the State Oceanographer in the preceding calendar year, and the developments in the State in ocean observation, research, and prediction.
c. The State Oceanographer shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of the position pursuant to this section, within the limits of funds appropriated or made available therefor.