I. (a) No person shall import, possess, sell, exhibit, or release any live marine species or wildlife, or the eggs or progeny thereof, without first obtaining a permit from the executive director except as permitted under title XVIII. The executive director shall have the authority to determine the time period and any other conditions governing the issuance of such permit. The chief of the wildlife division shall respond to a request for a permit within 60 days of a submission for a final request. The permit shall be granted within 60 days of the request, unless the chief of the wildlife division determines in writing that issuing a permit may pose a significant disease, genetic, ecological, environmental, health, safety, or welfare risk to persons, marine species, or wildlife.