The intent of this list is to delineate species that pose
minimal threat to Arkansas' aquatic biota. These farm-reared species may be
imported, traded (within the state), or used for commercial aquaculture
purposes, once appropriate permits and health certificate requirements have
been met. All imported species must comply with health certification
requirements (see Codes 35.11, 35.12, and Addendum Chapter I1.00).
* Denotes non-native species
Class Crustacea
Family Cambaridae
Procambarus acutus (White River
crayfish)
Procambarus clarkii (Red Swamp
crayfish)
Class Osteichthyes
Family Polyodontidae
Polyodon spathula (Paddlefish)
Family Lepisosteidae
Lepisosteus oculatus (Spotted gar)
Lepisosteus osseus (Longnose gar)
Lepisosteus platostomus (Shortnose
gar)
Family Amiidae
Amia ocellicauda (Emerald Bowfin)
Family Anguillidae
Anguilla rostrata (American eel)
Family Dorosomatidae
Dorosoma cepedianum (Gizzard shad)
Dorosoma petenense (Threadfin shad)
Family Alosidae
Alosa chrysochloris (Skipjack herring)
Family Esocidae
Esox americanus (Redfin pickerel)
Esox niger (Chain pickerel)
Family Cyprinidae
* Carassius auratus(Goldfish, including
ornamentals)
* Cyprinus carpio(Common carp, including koi)
- Koi must be obtained from a permitted source and spawned and reared only in
the United States
Family Leuciscidae
Cyprinella venusta (Blacktail shiner)
Hybognathus nuchalis (silvery minnow)
Luxilus chrysocephalus (Striped
shiner)
Lythrurus umbratilis (Redfin shiner)
Notemigonus crysoleucas (Golden
shiner)
Notropis atherinoides (Emerald shiner)
Miniellus boops (Bigeye shiner)
Paranotropis buchanani (Ghost shiner)
Notropis volucellus (Mimic shiner)
Opsopoeodus emiliae (Pugnose minnow)
Pimephales notatus (Bluntnose minnow)
Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnow)
Pimephales vigilax (Bullhead minnow)
Semotilus atromaculatus (Creek chub)
Family Xenocyprididae
* Ctenopharyngodon idella (Grass carp) -
USFWS-CERTIFIED TRIPLOIDS ONLY
Family Catostomidae
Erimyzon claviformis (Western Creek
chubsucker)
Erimyzon sucetta (Lake chubsucker)
Hypentelium nigricans (Northern
hogsucker)
Ictiobus bubalus (Smallmouth buffalo)
Ictiobus cyprinellus (Bigmouth buffalo)
Ictiobus niger (Black buffalo)
Minytrema melanops (Spotted sucker)
Moxostoma erythrurum (Golden redhorse)
Catostomus commersoni (White sucker)
Family Ictaluridae
Ictalurus furcatus (Blue catfish)
Ameiurus melas (Black bullhead)
Ameiurus natalis (Yellow bullhead)
Ameiurus nebulosus (Brown bullhead)
Ictalurus punctatus (Channel catfish)
Noturus gyrinus (Tadpole madtom)
Noturus nocturnus (Freckled madtom)
Pylodictis olivaris (Flathead catfish)
Family Aphredoderidae
Aphredoderus sayanus (Pirate perch)
Family Fundulidae
Fundulus notatus (Blackstripe
topminnow)
Fundulus olivaceus (Blackspotted
topminnow)
Family Poeciliidae
Gambusia affinis (Western Mosquitofish)
Family Atherinidae
Labidesthes sicculus (Brook silverside)
Family Moronidae
Morone chrysops (White bass)
Morone mississippiensis (Yellow bass)
* Morone saxatilis (Striped bass)
Family Centrarchidae
Centrarchus macropterus (Flier)
Lepomis cyanellus (Green sunfish)
Lepomis gulosus (Warmouth)
Lepomis humilis (Orangespotted
sunfish)
Lepomis macrochirus (Bluegill)
Lepomis marginatus (Dollar sunfish)
Lepomis megalotis (Longear sunfish)
Lepomis microlophus (Redear sunfish)
Lepomis miniatus (Red spotted sunfish)
Micropterus dolomieui (Smallmouth bass)
Micropterus punctulatus (Spotted bass)
Micropterus salmoides (Florida bass)
Micropterus nigricans (Largemouth bass)
Pomoxis annularis (White crappie)
Pomoxis nigromaculatus (Black crappie)
Family Elassomatidae
Elassoma zonatum (Banded pygmy sunfish)
Family Percidae
Percina caprodes (Logperch)
Sander canadense (Sauger)
Sander vitreum (Walleye)
Family Sciaenidae
Aplodinotus grunniens (Freshwater drum)
Family Cichlidae - Species must be obtained from a
permitted source and spawned and reared only in the United States
* Oreochromis aureus (Blue tilapia)
* Oreochromis mossambicus (Mozambique
tilapia)
* Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia)
Class Bivalvia
Family Unionidae
Pyganodon grandis (Giant Floater)
VHS Fish Farm Health Inspection Permit:
It shall be unlawful for any person to import, transport or
otherwise receive into the state of Arkansas live fish and/or fertilized eggs
from any VHSV-positive state (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ontario and Quebec) without first obtaining
the appropriate permit (see Code 35.01) in addition to a valid Fish Farm Health
Inspection Permit issued by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and complying
with the provisions of said permit. All persons wishing to ship live fish or
fish eggs into Arkansas from VHSV-positive states must first obtain the Fish
Farm Health Inspection Permit and a copy of the permit must accompany all
shipments into the state, even if the fish are transported by a third party.
Furthermore, any person hauling live fish through Arkansas from VHS-positive
states are prohibited from discharging water from fish-hauling tanks while
within the state. All shipments of live fish or eggs coming into Arkansas must
be accompanied by an invoice, bill of lading, and appropriate health
certificates in compliance with Code 35.03. Additionally, the fish health
inspection report must be no more than 60 days old from date of reported test
results at time of application for Fish Farm Health Inspection Permit from
Commission.
A Fish Farm Health Inspection Permit shall be an annual permit
that is issued in 2 six-month intervals (refer to Addendum D1.01). The first
interval will cover the period of January 1 - June 30, and the second interval
will cover the period of July 1 - December 31. The second interval of the
permit will be issued only after new semi-annual testing results are submitted
to the Commission. For additional information, please refer to Addenda D1.01,
I1.01, and Code 35.11.
Grass Carp (USFWS-Certified Triploid Only):
All grass carp sold for stocking purposes must be
USFWS-certified triploid. Permitted producers participating in the
USFWS-certified triploid grass carp program may transfer certification of
triploidy to other holders of valid fish farm, fish dealer, or independent
hauler permits that wish to sell USFWS-certified grass carp. All persons
selling USFWS-certified triploid grass carp are required to maintain records
for a minimum of 3 years containing the purchaser's name, contact information,
and number of fish sold. All USFWS-certified triploid grass carp must be
maintained in separate tanks, hauling units, and/or culture units from
uncertified grass carp.
Health Certificates:
See Addendum Chapter I1.00 for fish health requirements for all
live fish and/or fertilized eggs being imported into the state of Arkansas. All
required documents must be submitted to the Commission and reviewed prior to
importation.
Hybrids:
It is our intent that production and offer for sale of any
hybrid fish species is permissible if both parent species are included on the
Approved Commercial Aquaculture Species List.
Wild Crayfish:
The harvest and sale of native Arkansas crayfish species that
naturally colonize aquaculture ponds and are cultured incidental to production
of other aquaculture species is allowed.
Wild Turtles:
Aquaculture facilities possessing a valid Resident Fish Farmer
Permit may depredate or relocate aquatic turtles naturally colonizing on the
premises and impacting fish production, unless the turtle species is otherwise
protected. The harvest and sale of native Arkansas aquatic turtle species that
naturally colonize aquaculture ponds and are cultured incidental to production
of other aquaculture species is allowed with an Aquatic Turtle Harvest Permit
or Aquatic Turtle Farmer/Dealer Permit, unless the species is otherwise
protected. See Code Chapter 34.00.
Aquarium Species:
It is not the intent of this policy to constrain aquarium
trade. Freshwater, Tropical, and Marine Species: fish, mollusks, coral, and
crustaceans may be imported into the state with the appropriate paperwork from
properly permitted sources provided the species is not prohibited in J1.04 or
by any other state or federal regulations. These species must comly with all
requirements set forth in Code Chapter 35.00 and Addenda Chapters I1.00, J1.00,
and V1.00 including health certificate and bill of lading requirements.
Aquaponics / Hydroponics:
It is not the intent of this policy to constrain aquaponics/
hydroponic production. If live fish and/or fertilized fish eggs are being
possessed, propagated, offered for sale, or conditional species are being
utilized, at minimum a fish farm permit is required. Any approved species
imported for aquaponics/hydroponics must comply with all requirements set forth
in Code Chapter 35.00 and Addenda Chapters I1.00, J1.00, and V1.00, including
health certificate, invoice, and bill of lading requirements.
Conditional Species:
Conditional species are species that are permitted for specific
purposes provided the additional terms set forth by AGFC Fisheries Division and
biosecurity measures are met. Individuals possessing or desiring to possess
these species are required to apply for a Conditional Species Possession Permit
in addition to the appropriate permit under Code 35.01. The permit application
will detail the location of the facility, biosecurity measures taken to prevent
the possibility of escape, and the numbers and species to be held (these
numbers are best estimates of broodfish and expected production for upcoming
year). Some species may be limited to specific types of permit holders based on
a species evaluation. The permitted culture of any conditional aquaculture
species shall be conducted in a responsible manner that minimizes the
possibility of escape and adheres to any additional requirements set forth by
the Commission. Permitted individuals are required to construct a barrier that
prevents escape of juvenile and adult life stages. Drainpipes from holding and
culture units where these species are held must be screened, with mesh sized
adequately to prevent escape, at all times that water is being released. Double
screening is required during water release for units with bighead carp and
black carp species. The above-referenced measures and any additional measures
listed on the application to eliminate the possibility of escape will be
considered as part of the best management practices that the applicant agrees
to implement for their facility. The Commission will maintain records of the
number and location of these species in the state and will review initial
applications and inspect facilities to evaluate the potential for escape.
Facilities will be randomly re-inspected once in a three-year period of time to
ensure adherence to biosecurity measures. The permittee will be notified a
minimum of 5 days in advance of an inspection, and an employee of the facility
is requested to accompany AGFC personnel during the inspection. This permit
must be renewed annually and is non-transferrable. In the event that a
conditional aquatic species is released or escapes from a permitted facility,
the permittee shall notify the AGFC Fisheries Division immediately. The
permittee shall not be responsible for unforeseen occurrences such
as floods, lightning, or sabotage. Holders of Conditional Species Possession
Permits must verify that buyers of these species in Arkansas also have
appropriate permits. Conditional species permit holders are required to submit
an annual report, on a form provided by the Commission with the permit renewal
request, indicating the number of each conditional species produced (farmers)
or sold (dealers) in the state of Arkansas.
Failure to comply with the terms of the permit may result in
permit denial or revocation.
The species covered by these permits include:
Family Palaemonidae
*Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Malaysian prawn) -
certified disease-free (certification must be posted onsite). This species must
meet the same disease certification requirements as members of Family
Penaeidae.
Family Penaeidae
*Litopenaeus vannamei (Pacific White Shrimp) -
specific pathogen-free (certification must be posted onsite)
Requirements for culture of marine shrimp species
Litopenaeus vannamei in Arkansas:
A. All culture must be in an indoor closed
recirculating system- with
NO discharge. This will provide
biosecurity protection against pathogens, predators, and undesirable species
from entering or exiting the facility.
1.
Floor drains - If needed, each floor drain must have an appropriate-sized
mesh/screen to prevent escape by any sized cultured organism. Triple screening
is recommended. Discharge from floor drains must enter into the containment
tank that can be chlorinated and dechlorinated prior to release into an
approved municipal sewer system whose effluent is treated within the
system.
2. Catastrophic failure -
In the event of a catastrophic failure the floor drain containment tank must be
large enough to accommodate the water volume of at least 1.5 times the volume
of the largest individual tank in use within the operation to prevent any
escape. The containment tank must be chlorinated and dechlorinated prior to
discharge. Any possible escape must be reported immediately to the AGFC
Fisheries Division.
B.
All solids are to be placed in sealed containers and are for permitted landfill
disposal only.
C. Water sources
must be municipal or well water source. No connection to above-ground
freshwater source will be permitted.
D. All live shrimp must be placed in ice
water prior to leaving the facility, or processed prior to leaving the
facility.
E. Facilities permitted
for the culture of L. vannamei culture will not be approved
for simultaneous culture of any other crustacean species.
F. All post-larval shrimp, nauplii, or brood
imported into Arkansas must be obtained from a
Domestic US Marine Shrimp Farming Program
Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) or Specific Pathogen Resistant (SPR) certified
disease free culture facility (No
wild caught shrimp permitted: brood,
post-larvae, or nauplii). All shrimp imported must be from a SPF or SPR
certified facility with at least two consecutive years of disease free
certification for all crustacean pathogens listed with the US Marine Shrimp
Farming Program and OIE. All testing must be conducted by approved shrimp
disease testing facilities. For facilities propagating
L.
vannamei routine disease testing must be conducted. Copies of disease
certification must be submitted to AGFC and posted on-site.
USMSFP List of Pathogens & Diseases for SPF Penaeid
Shrimp
|
Pathogen
Type
|
Pathogen
|
Pathogen
Group
|
|
VIRUS
|
*TSV
|
dicistrovirus
|
|
*WSSV
|
nimavirus (n.f.)
|
|
*YHV/GAV/LOV
|
ronivirus (n.f.)
|
|
**IHHNV
|
parvovirus
|
|
**BP
|
occluded baculovirus
|
|
**MBV
|
occluded baculovirus
|
|
**BMN
|
unclassified nonocclude
|
|
HPV
|
parvovirus
|
|
IMN
|
totivirus
|
|
PROCARYOTE
|
NHP
|
alpha proteobacteria
|
|
PROTOZOA
|
Microsporidians
|
microsporidia
|
|
Haplosporidians
|
haplosporidia
|
|
Gregarines
|
apicomplexia
|
A C-1 pathogens defined as
excludable pathogens that can potentially cause catastrophic losses in one or
more American penaeid species; C-2 pathogens cause economically significant
disease and are excluded from breeding centers, hatcheries, and some types of
farms.
*Listed by Office of International Epizootics as a "Notifiable
Disease" as of May 1999
**Listed by Office of International Epizootics with "Other
Significant Diseases" as of May 1999
*IE Crustacean diseases
* Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease
* Crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci)
* Yellowhead virus
* Infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis
* Infectious myonecrosis
* Necrotising hepatopancreatitis
* Taura syndrome
* White spot disease
* White tail disease
A. Propagation of species. Propagation of the
species will be permitted with the requirement that an Aquaculturist develop
and implement a health management plan that includes conducting, at a minimum,
annual routine disease inspection through an approved shrimp disease testing
laboratory. The Aquaculturist will be responsible for submitting copies of
disease inspection reports to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and having
current disease inspection certificate(s) posted on-site. Additionally, the
Aquaculturist must notify the AGFC Fisheries Division and the State of Arkansas
Veterinarian immediately in the event that an above-listed pathogen is
detected.
B. Discharge from
facility. Should a facility need to be drained in an emergency situation, the
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality will provide additional
information on discharge limits, site location, and any permits required
regarding Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.
C. The facility must develop a biosecurity
plan, hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) plan, and a catastrophic
failure management plan to be kept on file, by the facility and by AGFC, as
part of Best Management Practices.
Family Salmonidae
* Oncorhynchus clarki (Cutthroat trout)
* Oncorhynchus mykiss (Rainbow trout)
* Salmo trutta (Brown trout)
* Salvelinus fontinalis (Brook trout)
Specific requirements regarding importation or stocking
salmonid species are located in Code Chapter 27.00 and Addendum Chapter V1.00.
Health certificates are required for all salmonid species. All sellers of these
species are responsible for verifying that buyers have obtained appropriate
permits prior to importation and/or stocking.
Family Xenocyprididae
Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (Bighead carp) -
Resident Fish Farm Permit holders that hold a valid conditional species permit
for this species by January 31, 2021 may continue to obtain an annual
conditional species permit for this species for the duration of which they are
the owner of the fish farm and continue to meet the terms of the permit.
Permits are non-transferrable. Stocking in Arkansas is restricted to only
approved fish farms and research/educational facilities meeting the terms and
requirements for conditional species. Species may be transported by the
permittee or an independent hauler with appropriate permits, if required. This
regulation does not prohibit the movement of bighead carp to a legally licensed
facility in another state.
* Diploid Mylopharyngodon piceus (Black carp)
- Stocking in Arkansas is restricted to only approved fish farms and
research/educational facilities meeting the terms and requirements for
conditional species. Species may be transported by the permittee or an
independent hauler with appropriate permits, if required. This regulation does
not prohibit the movement of diploid black carp to a legally licensed facility
in another state.
* Mylopharyngodon piceus (Black carp) -
Triploids - Stocking in Arkansas is restricted to only approved fish farms and
research/ educational facilities meeting the terms and requirements for
conditional species. Species may be transported by the permittee or an
independent hauler with appropriate permits, if required. This regulation does
not prohibit the movement of triploid black carp to a legally licensed facility
in another state.
* Ctenopharyngodon idella (Grass carp) -
Diploids -Stocking in Arkansas is restricted to only approved fish farms and
research/ educational facilities meeting the terms and requirements for
conditional species. Species may be transported by the permittee or an
independent hauler with appropriate permits, if required. This regulation does
not prohibit the movement of diploid grass carp to a legally licensed facility
in another state.
***NOTE*** The species listed below are listed as
injurious species by the USFWS
Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (Bighead
carp)
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Silver
carp)
Mylopharyngodon piceus (Black carp)
The injurious wildlife listing means that under the Lacey Act
it is illegal to import into the United States live silver, bighead, or black
carp, including viable eggs or hybrids of the species, except by permit for
zoological, education, medical, or scientific purposes.
Prohibited Species:
In accordance with Code 26.13, it is unlawful to import,
culture, or stock any specimen or, hybrid, or viable egg from species listed in
Addendum J1.04.
Permits to Culture Unlisted Species:
Requests to import, possess, propagate, and culture species not
listed in this policy will be scientifically evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The burden of proof will rest with the applicant to provide justification as to
the need to import and culture the species, justify why currently approved
species listed in this policy will not fill the need, and provide information
that the requested species will have no significant ecological impact on native
species or the resources of the state. The permitted culture of any unlisted
aquaculture species shall be conducted in a responsible manner that excludes
the possibility of escape from holding and culture units and adheres to the
terms set forth in the permit issued by AGFC. Permitted individuals are
required to construct a barrier that prevents escape of juvenile and adult
speciesfrom culture facilities, and meets all biosecurity, containment, and
health certification requirements set forth by the AGFC Fisheries Division
scientific review of the requested species. In the event that unlisted aquatic
organisms are released or escape from a permitted facility, the permittee shall
notify the AGFC Fisheries Division immediately. Additional screening for
aquatic animal health pathogens may be required for unlisted species due to
country of origin, water source, or specific pathogens of concern and will be
considered on a case by case basis.
Permit Processing Procedures: Permit
Renewal:
Conditional Species Possession Permits and Unlisted Aquaculture
Species Permits will be issued on an annual basis to correspond with expiration
dates of Fish Farmer, Fish Dealer, and Independent Hauler Permits. The Arkansas
Game and Fish Commission is responsible for providing renewal notices to permit
holders six weeks in advance of permit expiration date. Existing permits will
remain in effect past listed expiration date if a renewal application is
submitted by January 31st of the renewal year and processing is pending with
AGFC.
Permit Review:
Conditional Species Possession Permits and Unlisted Aquaculture
Species Permits are granted at the approval of the AGFC Chief of Fisheries. The
AGFC may solicit input as needed in the scientific review of individual species
and applications.
Modification of Lists:
Any individual may petition the AGFC Chief of Fisheries to add
or remove species on the Approved Commercial Aquaculture Species List
or the Conditional Aquaculture Species List. The petition must provide
thorough documentation of why a species should or should not be included on a
list. Petitions should address the biological threat of the species, including
native range, habitats utilized, movement patterns, spawning requirements,
reproductive rate, food habits, pathogens of concern, and temperature and
water-quality limitations. Documentation of any introductions or escapes
outside the species' native range must be included and evaluate the potential
impacts to native species through predation, competition, disease transmission,
and displacement. Petitions must include copies of all pertinent reference
material.
Petitions to add or remove species on the Approved
Commercial Aquaculture Species List or the Conditional
Aquaculture Species List will be responded to by the AGFC Chief of
Fisheries after thorough scientific review of the species and a consultation
with an advisory board representing appropriate AGFC staff.
