Nonresident fish farm permit requestors must submit the most
recent health certificate for their facility, and the previous three years'
worth of health certificates (if applicable) with their first Nonresident Fish
Farm application form. An annual renewal application of a nonresident fish farm
permit must include all new health certificates issued since the issuance of
their last permit. If selling fish obtained from sources outside of the
permitted farm, health certificates from those facilities must be submitted for
review prior to importation into the state, and a copy of the certificate(s)
must accompany shipment to the final destination. A copy of the fish health
certificates must accompany shipment with Bill of Lading. Importation of wild
caught species is prohibited in accordance with Code 35.13.
Resident and Nonresident Fish Dealers/Independent Haulers
(including Pond Consultants) are required to purchase approved species from
Commission permitted sources (see Code 35.01) with required fish health
certificate for stocking purposes within the state. The most recent fish health
certificates for sources must be submitted with application/renewal at time of
submission. If fish are obtained from a new source, their health certificate
must be submitted to AGFC for review prior to the importation of the fish. A
copy of fish health certificates must accompany shipment with Bill of Lading
and Invoice. Importation of wild caught species is prohibited in accordance
with Code 35.13.
A. A Nonresident Fish
Farm Permit and Nonresident Fish Dealer Permit will only be issued to persons
who submit, on forms supplied by the Commission, satisfactory documentary proof
including the following information:
1. That
an appropriate fish sample has been collected by a qualified independent party
during the appropriate season and was submitted to a qualified fish health
inspection laboratory for analysis from the facility and for any outside
sources the facility utilizes;
2.
Inspection reports from a qualified testing laboratory asserting the sample
tested negative for listed pathogens by appropriate testing methods;
3. Written documentation from a qualified
independent party asserting the fish are farm-raised, the farm or facility uses
a VHSV-free water source, and fish or fertilized eggs to be shipped to Arkansas
have not been mixed with, or potentially contaminated by, fish or water from
known sources of regulated pathogens; and 4. A completed application for the
appropriate permit in compliance with Code 35.01 and Addendum Chapter
J1.00.
B. Failure to
submit required aquatic animal health documentation in a timely manner will
result in a 1-year suspension of eligibility to obtain permit.
C.
EXCEPTIONS: Aquatic animal
health certificates shall not be required for the importation of live fish or
crayfish if:
1. The species are moving to a
state-inspected slaughter facility meeting the following criteria:
i. The slaughter facility must discharge
wastewater into a municipal sewage system that includes wastewater
disinfection; and
ii. The slaughter
facility must either render or compost offal, including
carcasses;
2. The species
are moving to a qualified diagnostic facility for disease testing;
3. Channel catfish (Ictalurus
punctantus), Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), and
Hybrid Catfish (Ictalurus furactus X Ictalurus punctatus)
imported for commercial "foodfish" production may be imported by permitted
Resident fish farmers from permitted Non-resident fish farms located in the
state of Mississippi, in the area West of Interstate Highway 55 and North of
Interstate Highway 20, without a health certificate, provided such fish remain
on the receiving facility premises, except to go directly to a terminal
processing facility. Exclusions for these species do not apply for fish
destined for recreational or other stocking purposes. Receiving facilities that
include these fish as part of their farm level or lot inspection are allowed to
offer for sale approved species for stocking purposes;
4. Crayfish imported for the sole purpose of
human consumption; or
5. Marine or
tropical aquarium fish species that meet the following criteria:
i. The fish are moving directly to a home
aquarium; or
ii. The fish are
moving to wholesale or retail distributors of marine and tropical fish and will
be permanently confined in a closed system (aquaria, tanks, or
pools).
