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DAR File No. 32199

This filing was published in the 01/01/2009, issue, Vol. 2009, No. 1, of the Utah State Bulletin.

Agriculture and Food, Animal Industry

R58-17

Aquaculture and Aquatic Animal Health

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE

DAR File No.: 32199
Filed: 12/04/2008, 04:49
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule needs to be amended as a result of passage of H.B. 148 which specifically amended Sections 4-37-103 (private fish pond definition), 4-37-204 (stocking of fish in a private fish pond), 4-37-503 (membership of the Fish Health Policy Board), 23-13-2, 23-15-9, 23-19-1 (private pond definition), and 23-15-10 (private fish pond not required to obtain a certificate of registration). A few changes not related to H.B. 148 were also approved. These including fixing typos and updating the topics of quarantine, facility inspection, and aquatic invasive species. (DAR NOTE: H.B. 148 (2008) is found at Chapter 69, Laws of Utah 2008, and was effective 05/05/2008.)

Summary of the rule or change:

The rule was changed to eliminate the need for private fish pond owners to obtain a certificate of registration; to set requirements for stocking in private fish ponds; to change the membership of the Fish Health Policy Board; to set requirements for reporting fish stocking in private fish ponds; to specify screen requirements; and to provide minor updates.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Title 4, Chapter 37, and Title 23, Chapters 13 and 15

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There is no additional testing of fish done by the Fish Health Program as a result of this change. There are minor costs associated with producing receipt books for sales, but overall there is no additional cost to the state budget. There may be additional work by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in managing the private fish ponds.

local governments:

Local government is not involved in fish health, so there is no cost associated.

small businesses and persons other than businesses:

Small business are not involved in fish health, so there is no cost associated.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

The private pond owner is required to prepare proper screening, but the cost associated with screening is not different from the previous version of the rule. The necessity for a certificate of registration is removed, thus the private pond owner will be spare this expense.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

These changes were requested by the Utah Aquaculture Association. This association consists of fish farmers that are approved for sales to private fish pond owners. With the removal of certificate of registration for farmers in certain situations, these changes overall will save private pond owners money. Leonard Blackham, Commissioner

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Agriculture and Food
Animal Industry
350 N REDWOOD RD
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84116-3034

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Kathleen Mathews, Terry Menlove, or Kent Hauck at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7103, 801-538-7162, or 801-538-7025, by FAX at 801-538-7126, 801-538-7169, or 801-538-7169, or by Internet E-mail at kmathews@utah.gov, tmenlove@utah.gov, or khauck@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

02/02/2009

This rule may become effective on:

02/09/2009

Authorized by:

Leonard M. Blackham, Commissioner

RULE TEXT

R58. Agriculture and Food, Animal Industry.

R58-17. Aquaculture and Aquatic Animal Health.

R58-17-2. Definitions.

(A) The following terms are defined for this rule:

(1) "Aquaculture" means the controlled cultivation of aquatic animals. In this rule, the word "aquaculture" refers to commercial aquaculture.

(2)(a) "Aquaculture facility" means any tank, canal, raceway, pond, off-stream reservoir, fish processing plant or other structure used for aquaculture. "Aquaculture facility" does not include any public aquaculture facility, private fish pond or fee fishing facility, as defined in this rule.

(b) Structures that are separated by more than 1/2 mile, or structures that drain to or are modified to drain into different drainages, are considered separate aquaculture facilities regardless of ownership.

(3)(a) "Aquatic animal" means a member of any species of fish, mollusk, crustacean, or amphibian.

(b) "Aquatic animal" includes a gamete or egg of any species listed in definitions under Subsection R58-17-2(3)(a).

(4) "Blue Book" means a set of the most current standard procedures approved by the American Fisheries Society for inspecting the health of aquatic animals.

(5) "Brokers or fish brokering" refers to the activities of dealers, entities, individuals or companies that are in the business of buying, selling, exchanging or transferring live aquatic animals between approved or licensed facilities pursuant to R58-17-13(C) and R58-17-14 without being actively involved in the culture, rearing or growth of the animals. This includes a person or company who rears aquatic animals, but also buys and sells (brokers) additional aquatic animals without rearing them.

(6) "Certificate of Registration (COR)" means an official document which licenses facilities with the Department of Agriculture and Food or which licenses facilities and events with the Division of Wildlife Resources pursuant to R58-17-4. The purpose of the COR is to establish the legal description of the facility, the species of aquatic animals reared and to grant the authority to engage in the described activity.

(7) "Department" means the Department of Agriculture and Food with appropriate regulatory responsibility pursuant to R58-17-4(A)(1) in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4-2-2 and 4-37-104, Utah Code.

(8) "Disease History" means a record of all known pathogens that have historically affected aquatic animals reared at a facility that seeks health approval pursuant to R58-17-15(C)(2)(b).

(9) "Division" means the Division of Wildlife Resources in the Department of Natural Resources with the appropriate regulatory responsibility pursuant to R58-17-4(A)(2), R657-3, R657-16 in accordance with the provisions of Sections 23-14-1 and 4-37-105, Utah Code.

(10) "Egg only sources" refers to a separate category of salmonid fish health approval that allows for the purchase of "fish eggs only" from a facility pursuant to R58-17-15(B)(5) and (D)(1). This category makes the distinction between those pathogens that are vertically transmitted (from parent to offspring through the egg, i.e., Renibacterium salmoninarum (BKD), IHNV, IPNV, OMV, VHSV, SVCV, EHNV) and those horizontally transmitted (from one fish to another by contact or association, i.e., Aeromonas salmonicida, Asian tapeworm, Ceratomyxa shasta, Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (PKX), Myxobolus cerebralis (whirling disease), and Yersinia ruckeri).

(11) "Emergency prohibited pathogen" is a pathogen that causes high morbidity and high mortality, is exotic to Utah, and requires immediate action. These pathogens generally cannot be treated and shall be controlled through avoidance, eradication, and disinfection (see R58-17-20).

(12) "Emergency Response Procedures" are procedures established by the Fish Health Policy Board to be activated any time an emergency prohibited or prohibited pathogen is reported pursuant to R58-17-9 and R58-17-15(D)(6).

(13) "Emergency response team" means teams as defined by the Fish Health Policy Board responsible for developing and executing action plans to respond to and report findings of emergency prohibited or prohibited pathogens pursuant to R58-17-9, R58-17-10(A)(1) and R58-17-10(B)(1).

(14) "Entry Permit" means an official document issued by the Department which grants permission to the permit holder to import aquatic animals into Utah pursuant to R58-17-13. An entry permit is issued for up to 30 days and stipulates the species, size or age, weight and source of aquatic animals to be imported.

(15) "Facility disease history report" means a report of all known pathogens that have historically affected aquatic animals reared at a facility seeking approval pursuant to R58-17-15, subsections (B)(6), (C)(1)(a), and (C)(2)(b) and (d).

(16) "Fee fishing facility" means a body of water used for holding or rearing aquatic animals for the purpose of providing fishing for a fee or for pecuniary consideration or advantage pursuant to Section 4-37-103 and R58-17-18.

(17) "Fish health approved/health approval" means a system of procedures which allows an assessment of the disease history of a facility or population of aquatic animals and which grants a statistical assurance that neither "emergency prohibited" nor "prohibited" pathogens are present. The Department's and Division's responsibilities for granting health approval are delineated in R58-17-15. Health Approval status is granted to qualified COR holders in Utah and to aquatic animal sources inside and outside of Utah, all of which have satisfactorily completed health approval requirements pursuant to R58-17-15, and placed on the fish health approval list (R58-17-13(C)). Health approval of the source facility is necessary before a [COR holder may ]purchase may be made from the source facility or before the source facility may sell, transfer, or broker aquatic animals in or into Utah pursuant to R58-17-14.

(18) "Fish Health Policy Board" means the board created pursuant to Amendment 4-37-503 and referred to in R58-17 as the "Board".

(19) "Fish processing plant" means a facility pursuant to R58-17-13(G) and (H), and R58-17-17 used for receiving whole dead, eviscerated fresh or frozen salmonids or other live and dead aquatic animals as approved on the COR for processing.

(20) "Five-year disease history" means a report of all known pathogens affecting each stock native to, propagated at, or imported to the originating facility. These stocks or the offspring of these stocks are subsequently moved to another facility that seeks health approval pursuant to R58-17-15 subsections (B)(6), (C)(1)(a), and (C)(2)(b) and (d). The report shall cover up to the previous five years.

(21) "Import/importation" means to bring live aquatic animals, by any means into the State of Utah from any location outside the state and to subsequently possess and use them for any purpose.

(22) "Institutional aquaculture" means aquaculture engaged in by any institution of higher learning, school, or other educational program.

(23) "OIE" means the Office International des Epizooties of the World Organization for Animal Health, an intergovernmental organization that was established in 1924 to promote world animal health. The OIE provides guidelines and standards for health regulations and diagnostic tests. The most recent manual of health standards for aquatic animals is used to inspect for aquatic animal pathogens, for which the Bluebook has not developed standards. Such pathogens include EHNV, WSSV, YHV, TSV, and IHHNV covered in R58-17-20.

(24) "Ornamental fish" means any species of aquatic animals that are reared or marketed for their beauty or exotic characteristics, rather than for consumptive or recreational use. Tropical fish, goldfish and koi are included in the category of ornamental fish. This does not include those species of aquatic animals listed as prohibited or controlled in Department of Natural Resources rule R657-3. Ornamental fish are not regulated under rules R58-17 or R657-3. If the Department or Division determines that an introduction of ornamental fish poses a disease risk for aquatic animals, then all requirements under this rule apply.

(25)(a) "Private fish pond" means a body of water where privately owned aquatic animals are propagated or kept for a private, non-commercial purpose.

(b) "Private fish pond" does not include any aquaculture facility or fee fishing facility.

(26) "Procedures for the Timely Reporting of Pathogens" means procedures established by the Board for the timely reporting of emergency prohibited, prohibited, or reportable pathogens from any source in Utah or from any out-of-state health approved source pursuant to R58-17-9 and R58-17-15(D)(5).

(27) "Prohibited pathogen" is a pathogen that can cause high morbidity or high mortality, may be endemic to Utah, and requires action in a reasonable time. Prohibited pathogens are generally very difficult or impossible to treat and can only be controlled through avoidance, eradication, and disinfection, etc (see R58-17-20).

(28)(a) "Public aquaculture facility" means a tank, canal, raceway, pond, off-stream reservoir, or other structure used for the controlled cultivation of aquatic animals by the Division, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or an institution of higher education.

(b) Structures that are separated by more than 1/2 mile, or structures that drain to or are modified to drain into different drainages, are considered separate public aquaculture facilities.

(29) "Public fishery resource" means aquatic animals produced in public aquaculture facilities, purchased or acquired for public fishery waters and sustained as wild and free ranging populations in the surface waters of the state.

(30) "Quarantine" means the restriction of movement of live or dead aquatic animals regardless of age and of all equipment and hauling trucks into or from an area designated by the Commissioner of Agriculture or State Veterinarian pursuant to R58-17-10 and Agricultural code 4-31-16 and 17.

(31) "Reportable pathogen" is a pathogen that generally is prevented using good management practices. Reportable pathogens are not prohibited in Utah but may be prohibited in some other states or countries (see R58-17-20). Inspections are not required for reportable pathogens, but positive findings must be reported to the Board.

(32) "Salmonid and non-salmonid" designate aquatic animals based on the range of optimal growth temperatures used in their culture. "Salmonid" means any species of aquatic animal that is of the order Salmoniformes and optimally lives in coldwater conditions. "Non-salmonid" means any species of aquatic animal that is not of the order Salmoniformes nor cultured in coldwater conditions. For purposes of R58-17, aquatic animals such as cool water fish, warm water fish, and crustaceans (shrimp, crayfish, and prawns) are classified as non-salmonids.

(33) "Source" means all rearing or holding locations during all of the life stages of an aquatic animal.

(34) "Unregulated pathogen" is a pathogen that is not regulated in Utah. Unregulated pathogens include all pathogens not classified as either emergency prohibited, prohibited, or reportable. Reporting of these pathogens to the Fish Health Policy Board is not required (see R58-17-20).

 

R58-17-3. Penalties.

Any violation of or failure to comply with any provision of this rule, R657-59 or R657-16 or any specific requirement contained in a certificate of registration or entry permit issued pursuant to this rule, R657-59 or R657-16 may be grounds for issuance of citations, levying of fines, revocation of the certificate of registration or denial of future certificates of registration pursuant to Subsections 4-2-2(1)(f) and 4-2-15(1), as determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food and pursuant to Sections 23-19-9 and 23-13-11, as determined by the Director of the Division of Wildlife Resources.

 

R58-17-4. Certificate of Registration (COR) Required.

(A) Activities requiring a COR:

(1) A COR, issued by the Department, is required before a person may engage in the following activities within Utah:

(a) Operate an aquaculture facility.

(b) Operate a fee-fishing facility.

(c) Operate a fish processing plant.

(d) Broker aquatic animals.

(2) A COR, issued by the Division, is required for operation of the following activities within the State of Utah:

(a) public aquaculture facilities;.

(b) private fish ponds [(R657-16-10)]unless otherwise exempt from COR requirements under R657-59-3 and R657-59-7;

(c) institutional aquaculture facilities (R657-16-13);

(d) short term fishing events (R657-16-11);

(e) private stocking (R657-16-12);

(f) displays (R657-16-14).

(3) Entry permits shall be issued [only ]to holders of current CORs for the activities named in this subsection and to private fish pond owners pursuant to R58-17-13 (J) and R657-59.

 

R58-17-5. Species Allowed.

(A) Pursuant to Division of Wildlife Resources[Department of Natural Resources] rules R657-3, R657-59, R657-16, and Utah Code sections 23-15-10 and 23-13-5, only those species authorized by the Division or the Wildlife Board [and listed on the COR ]may be imported, possessed, or transported in conjunction with the authorized activity[ listed on the COR].

(B) Pursuant to 4-37-105(1), 4-37-201(3)(B) and 4-37-

301(3)(B) the Department shall coordinate with the Division to determine which species the holder of a COR may propagate, possess, transport or sell.

(C) The Department will monitor sales receipts to insure that the species described on CORs, sales receipts, and entry permits issued by the Department are those authorized by the Division.

 

R58-17-6. Qualifying Waters.

(A) A private or public aquaculture facility, fee-fishing facility or private fish pond may not be developed on natural lakes, natural flowing streams, or reservoirs constructed on natural stream channels[. Other water, including canals, o]. Offstream reservoirs, and excavated ponds or raceways may be considered for use as an aquaculture or fee-fishing facility.

(B) During the COR application process, the Department shall coordinate with the Division to determine the suitability of the proposed site pursuant to R58-17-6(A), 4-37-111, 4-37-201(3) and 4-37-301(3).

 

R58-17-7. Screens Required.

(A) Screens or other devices that are designed to prevent the movement of fish into or out of an aquaculture facility, fee-fishing facility, public aquaculture facility, private fish pond, institutional aquaculture facility, short term fishing event or display must be placed at the inflow and outflow. The presence of adequate screening or other devices is a precondition to issuance or renewal of CORs pursuant to R58-17-4 and a precondition to delivery of aquatic animals to private fish ponds from health approved sources as provided in section 23-15-10 and R657-59-15.

(B) As part of the COR issuance process, the Department or the Division shall make site visits and determine the adequacy of screening.

(C) [During and following the COR application process, t]The Department or Division may inspect screening or other devices in their respective areas of responsibility to assure compliance with Subsections R58-17-7(A) and (B) and Section 23-15-10 and R657-59-15 during reasonable hours.

(D) It is the responsibility of the private fish pond owner or COR holder to report to the Department or Division, depending on which agency [issued the COR]has jurisdictional authority, all escapements of aquatic animals from facilities. This is to be done within 72 hours of the loss or knowledge of the loss. The report shall include facility names, date of loss, estimate of number of aquatic animals lost, names of the public water the aquatic animals escaped into, remedial actions taken, and plans for future remedial action. The COR holder and/or facility operator or private fish pond owner will bear all costs for remedial actions. The Department or Division shall notify all affected agencies and parties within two working days. The agency having responsibility may suspend all activities at the facility, including aquatic animal imports, transfers, sales, fishing, etc., until the investigation and remedial actions are completed.

 

R58-17-9. Reporting Fish Diseases.

Persons involved in aquaculture and being regulated by this rule, R657-59, or R657-16, having knowledge of the existence in the state of any of the diseases currently on the pathogen list, Subsection R58-17-15(D)(2), (3), and (4), shall report it to the Department, Fish Health Program or the Division, Aquatics Section. The Department or Division will follow the Procedures for the Timely Reporting of Pathogens and the Emergency Response Procedures established by the Board. All confirmed findings of pathogens pursuant to R58-17-15(D)(2), (3), and (4), determined from such incidents or from inspections or diagnostic work initiated by the Department or the Division, will be reported to the Board.

 

R58-17-10. Quarantine of Aquatic Animals and Premises.

(A) If evidence exists that the aquatic animals in any facility are infected with or have been exposed to pathogens listed in R58-17-15(D)(2) and (3), then [a]either quarantine or removal from the approval list (R58-17-2 (17), depending on the pathogen, may be imposed by the Commissioner of Agriculture or the State Veterinarian. [This]Any action other than a quarantine must[may] be [reviewed]approved by the Board[ for recommendations to the Department].

(1) Lifting of the quarantine imposed on a facility infected with or exposed to emergency or prohibited pathogens requires the creation and implementation of a biosecurity plan that specifies action to control the pathogen and includes testing requirements of all lots of fish to verify the absence of the pathogen. In addition, the Department may require decontamination of the facilities and equipment in accordance with current medical knowledge of the organism, the Blue Book, and guidelines set forth by the Emergency Response Team.

(2) If the Department has reasonable evidence that the contagion is still present pursuant to R58-17-11, then quarantine, closure, or other measures such as decontamination of the facility and equipment, destruction of aquatic animals, etc. may be imposed. Such measures will be in accordance with current medical knowledge of the organism, the Blue Book, and guidelines set forth by the Emergency Response Team.

(B) A quarantine may be imposed by the Commissioner of Agriculture or the State Veterinarian where aquatic animals are possessed, transported or transferred in violation of this rule, wildlife rules, or statute and consequently pose a possible disease threat; or where a quarantine is reasonably necessary to protect aquatic animals within the state. This action may be reviewed by the Board for recommendations to the Department.

(1) Quarantines imposed on facilities for rule or statute violations or for purposes of protecting aquatic animals may be lifted once sufficient evidence is presented to the State Veterinarian's satisfaction that infection is not present at the facility or that biosecurity control measures are being followed which will control further spread of the pathogen, and that removal of the quarantine does not create a risk to other aquatic animal populations. In addition, the Department may require decontamination of the facilities and equipment in accordance with current medical knowledge of the organism, Blue Book procedures, and guidelines set forth by the Emergency Response Team.

(2) If the Department has reasonable evidence that the contagion is present pursuant to R58-17-11, then quarantine, closure, or other measures shall be imposed pursuant to R58-17-10(A)(2).

(C) Any person, licensed pursuant to R58-17 and affiliated with a facility under quarantine, who delivers aquatic animals from health-approved sources for other public or private aquaculture facilities may, with written permission from the Department, use their hauling trucks if the operator either houses the truck off the quarantined facility, or sanitizes the truck according to Department recommendations each time it leaves the quarantined facility.

 

R58-17-11. Handling of Aquatic Animals and Premises Confirmed to Be Infected With a Listed Pathogen in R58-17-15(D).

(A) Where any facility or group of aquatic animals is confirmed to be infected with one or more of the pathogens listed in R58-17-15(D), the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food or State Veterinarian may either quarantine or remove the facility from the health approval list pursuant to R58-17-10 and take steps to prevent the spread of the pathogen and to eliminate it. These actions may be reviewed by the Board for recommendations to the Department. The Department or Division, in their respective areas of responsibility, may take one or more of the following actions as listed below in this subsection, depending on the pathogen involved and the potential effects of the pathogen on the receiving water, neighboring aquaculture facilities or the public fishery resource.

(1) Destruction and disposal of all infected and exposed aquatic animals.

(2) Cleaning and decontamination or disposal of all handling equipment and holding facilities.

(3) Testing is required of all lots of fish, which may be at the owner's expense, to detect the presence or spread of the pathogen. This may include the use of sentinel fish. After two negative tests, six months apart, the quarantine shall be reassessed, possibly released, and/or other measures may be imposed pursuant to R58-17-10(A)(2). Once sufficient evidence shows that the pathogen is not present at a facility, full restocking may begin.

(4) The infected aquatic animals may be allowed to remain on the premises through the production cycle depending on the pathogen involved and its potential effects on adjacent animals. All stocks within the facility shall be tested according to provisions outlined in the biosecurity plan to determine if the pathogen persists. At the end of the production cycle, then testing should be done at least annually. If the pathogen is not found after two consecutive annual inspections, then testing may revert to the original requirements for the facility. If biosecurity of the facility cannot or is not being maintained, immediate destruction of the stocks may be required. The biosecurity plan for the facility shall remain in effect if the COR holder sells or goes out of business.

 

R58-17-13. Importation of Aquatic Animals or Aquaculture Products Into Utah.

(A) An official ENTRY PERMIT is required to import live aquatic animals or their gametes into Utah. This permit is in addition to the COR for operation of the facility or as otherwise specified in R58-17-4. The entry permit can be obtained at no charge by contacting the Department, Fish Health Program and providing the following information:

(1) Name, address, phone number and COR number of importer.

(2) Species, size and/or number of aquatic animals to be imported.

(3) Name and health approval number of sources, origin of aquatic animals, transfer history, and approximate date of shipment.

(4) For international shipments, a certificate of veterinary inspection from the source must be obtained by the importer indicating a negative record of testing by OIE reference labs for prohibited pathogens pursuant to R58-17-15(D)(2) and (3), a negative record of other OIE-listed pathogens affecting the aquatic animals to be imported, and that known nuisance species are not found in the water source. In addition, written authorization from the US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) for the importation must be included.

(B) Each shipment of live aquatic animals must be authorized. A copy of the entry permit will be sent to the requesting party and a copy must accompany the shipment. The permit holder shall allow up to two weeks for the Department to verify the health approval status of the source and to verify authorized species status pursuant to R58-17-5.

(C) All import shipments of live aquatic animals must originate from sources that have been health approved by the Department pursuant to R58-17-15(A)(2) and (B). A list of approved sources is maintained by the Department, but the list is not published due to frequent updates. Information on currently approved sources may be obtained by contacting the Department Fish Health Program.

(D) All importations must be species that have been authorized by the Wildlife Board and the Division pursuant to R657-3, R657-59-16, and 4-37-105(1).

(E) To import live grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), [a COR and an ENTRY PERMIT are required. In addition, ]the fish must [also ]be verified as being triploid (sterile) by a laboratory and method acceptable to the Department. A U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service triploid verification form must be obtained from the supplier as required in R657-16-7. Both this form and the Department's statement verifying treatment or testing for the Asian tapeworm must be on file with the Department prior to shipment of the fish. Copies of the entry permit, treatment or testing statement and the triploid verification forms must accompany the fish during transit. The statement verifying treatment or testing is also required for all aquatic animal species that are known or reported hosts or carriers of the Asian tapeworm.

(F) The State Veterinarian may require inspection, treatment or testing of any aquatic animal and plant species, including aquatic invasive species, water, vehicle, or container, in accordance with current [medical]scientific knowledge before importation.

(G) Whole dead and eviscerated fresh or frozen salmonid fish or live aquatic animals may be imported into Utah for processing at a fish processing plant without an Entry Permit. Live salmonid fish may be imported into and transported within Utah for processing at a fish processing plant without an Entry Permit, but they must be killed upon release from the transport vehicle and may not be held live at the fish processing plant. Waste products, i.e., brine shrimp cysts, carcasses, viscera and waste water, must be incinerated, buried with "quick lime" (Calcium oxide), composted, digested, or disposed of by means acceptable to the Department to deter the spread of pathogens and non-native species pursuant to R657-3 by water or animals. The Department may apply the requirements in this subsection to other species of aquatic animals and pathogens if future needs arise.

(H) Placement of dead fish, fish parts, or fish waste products from a fish processing plant, or live or dead aquatic animals from any facility into public waters is illegal. Proper disposal is the responsibility of the processor/owner/broker pursuant to R58-17-13(G).

(I) All transport vehicles, importing aquatic animals imported into Utah or transporting them through Utah pursuant to R58-17-14(C), must have proper documentation and are subject to inspection. The lack of proper documentation and/or the findings of an inspection may result in entry denial, fines, or other Department actions. All inspection costs will be born by the importer.

(J) Aquatic animals may be imported and transported to a private fish pond by an out-of-state source, approved by the Department, or by an aquaculture facility representative with a current COR by following requirements in section 4-37-204. The approved or licensed facility representative and the private fish pond representative shall sign and forward receipts pursuant to R58-17-17 (D).

 

R58-17-14. Buying, Selling, and Transporting Aquatic Animals.

(A) Buying aquatic animals:

Live aquatic animals, except ornamental fish, unless the ornamental fish are determined a risk pursuant to R58-17-2(A)(24), may be purchased or acquired only by persons or entities who possess a valid COR that authorizes the animals or as otherwise specified in R58-17-4. This applies to separate facilities owned by the same individual. Live aquatic animals must be purchased only from sources that either are located in-state and have a valid COR for aquaculture or are located outside of Utah. In both cases, the sources must also be on the current fish health approval list.

(B) Selling aquatic animals:

Live aquatic animals, except ornamental fish, unless the ornamental fish are determined a risk pursuant to R58-17-2(A)(24), may be sold only by a person or entity located in-state who possesses a valid COR for aquaculture or by a person or entity located outside of Utah. Current listing for each source and species on the health approval list is also required. Within Utah, an aquaculture facility operator may only sell or transfer live aquatic animals to a person or entity, which has been issued a valid COR to possess such animals or as otherwise specified in R58-17-4.

(C) Transporting aquatic animals:

(1) Any person possessing a valid COR may transport the live aquatic animals specified on the COR to the facility named on the COR.

(2) All transfers or shipments of live aquatic animals within Utah, except ornamental fish, unless the ornamental fish are determined a risk pursuant to R58-17-2(A)(24), must be accompanied by documentation of the source and destination, including:

(a) Name, address, phone number, COR number and COR expiration date, fish health approval number and expiration date of source and transfer history.

(b) Species, size, number or weight being shipped.

(c) Name, address, phone number, COR number and COR expiration date of the destination or as specified in R58-17-4.

(d) Date of transaction.

(3) Live aquatic animals may be shipped through Utah without a COR, provided that the animals will not be sold, released or transferred, the products remain in the original container, water from the out-of-state source is not exchanged or released, and the shipment is in Utah no longer than 72 hours. Proof of legal ownership, origin of aquatic animals and destination must accompany the shipment.

(4) Any person who hauls fish may transport a species other than those listed on their COR provided the source facility and destination both have a valid COR to possess that species. Transportation of aquatic animals to a private fish pond may not require a COR pursuant to R657-59-3, but movement and delivery of the aquatic animals is subject to the species restrictions in R657-59-16.

(5) No person may move or cause to be moved aquatic animals from a facility known to be exposed to or infected with any of the pathogens on the pathogen list, R58-17-15(D)(2) through (4), without first reporting it to the appropriate regulating agency pursuant to R58-17-9 and receiving written authorization to move the aquatic animals.

(D) Brokers:

(1) Brokers shall follow the same requirements that other producers follow as to importation, health approval of their facility and their source facilities and assuring that live sales are only made to those with valid CORs.

(2) To qualify for health approval of their fish, brokers shall obtain health approval for all source facilities from which they broker fish.

 

R58-17-16. Inspection of Records and Facilities.

(A) Except as otherwise provided in R657-16-9 and R657-59-12, [T]the following records shall be maintained for a period of up to five years and be available for inspection during reasonable hours by the appropriate agency pursuant to R58-17-4.

(1) Purchase, acquisition, distribution, and production histories of live aquatic animals.

(2) CORs and entry permits.

(3) Valid identification of stocks, including origin of stocks.

(B) The appropriate agency representatives pursuant to R58-17-4 and Utah Codes 4-1-4, 4-31-16 and 23-15-10 and under appropriate regulatory responsibility may conduct pathological or physical investigations at any registered facility, [including]private fish ponds and fish being imported or transported in vehicles, during reasonable hours if there is cause to believe that a disease condition exists or as otherwise authorized in R58-17-7, R58-17-17 (D), R657-59 and R657-16. Any laboratory testing as a result of this investigation will be at the owner's expense if evidence indicates that R58-17 has been violated pursuant to the investigation.

 

R58-17-17. Aquaculture Facilities, Fish Processing Plants, Brokers.

(A) COR required:

A COR is required to operate an aquaculture facility or a fish processing plant and to act as a broker. A separate COR and fee are required for each facility defined under "aquaculture facility", Section 4-37-103(2), regardless of ownership.

(B) Live aquatic animals may be sold or transferred:

The operator of an aquaculture facility with health approval may take the aquatic animals as authorized on the COR from the facility at any time and offer them for sale. Within Utah, live aquatic animals can only be sold to other facilities which have a valid COR for that species. Fish [P]processing plants dealing with salmonids shall neither hold nor sell live salmonids.

(C) Fee-fishing facility and/or fish processing plant allowed:[

] The operator of an aquaculture facility may also operate a fee-fishing facility pursuant to R58-17-18 and/or a fish processing plant pursuant to R58-17-17 and R58-17-13(G) and (H), provided the fee-fishing facility or the fish processing plant is within one half mile distance from the aquaculture facility, contains only those species authorized on the COR for the aquaculture facility, and this activity is listed on the COR for the aquaculture facility.

(D) Receipts required:[

] Any [in-state ]sale, shipment, or transfer of live aquatic animals from an out-of-state approved source, from an aquaculture facility or by a broker must be accompanied by a receipt. A receipt book will be provided by the Department upon request. Copies of all receipts will be submitted to the Department with the annual report. The receipt will contain:

(1) Names, addresses, phone numbers, COR numbers, COR expiration dates, fish health approval numbers and expiration dates of sources.

(2) Number, strain name, species name, age/size, reproductive capability and weight being shipped[, by species].

(3) Names, addresses and phone numbers of destinations.

(4) COR numbers and COR expiration dates for destinations excluding private fish pond owners that qualify to operate without a COR.

(5) Dates of transactions.

(6) Signatures of seller and buyer or as otherwise required in R657-59.

(E) Annual reports required:

Aquaculture facility owners, fish processing plant owners, and brokers shall submit annual reports of all sales, transfers, and purchases to the Department at the time of the COR renewal, pursuant to R58-17-8(B)(2). Report forms will be provided by the Department.

(1) The report will contain:[

] (a) Names, addresses, phone numbers, COR numbers and health approval numbers of sources.

(b) Number, size and weight by species.

(c) Names, addresses, phone numbers, COR numbers of the destinations.

(d) Dates of transactions.

(2) Copies of receipts pursuant to R58-17-17(D), shall be submitted as part of the annual report to the Department.

(3) Reports shall be submitted to the Department by December 31 each year and must be received before a COR will be renewed. If the report, application, receipts and fee are not received by December 31 pursuant to R58-17-8(B), the COR will no longer be valid and regulatory action may be initiated pursuant to R58-17-8(B)(3). For sales made after submittal of the annual report and before January 1, the facility owner shall submit an addendum report that is due by January 31.

(4) The report made by operators of fish processing plants shall also contain all purchases and transfers to and from the facility and shall address proper methods of disposal with dates and locations pursuant to R58-17-13(G) and (H).

(F) Fees assessed:

The initial and annual renewal COR fee for aquaculture facilities, brokers, and fish processing plants is $150.00, pursuant to Section 4-37-301.

(G) The COR holder shall keep a copy of CORs, reports, and records on file for two years pursuant to 4-37-110.

 

R58-17-19. Public Aquaculture, Private Fish Ponds, Institutional Aquaculture Facilities, Short Term Fishing Events, Private Stocking and Displays.

Details on the COR and regulatory requirements pursuant to R58-17-4[(2)] for operating public aquaculture, private fish ponds, institutional aquaculture facilities, short term fishing events, private stocking and displays are found in Division of[the code for Natural Resources,] Wildlife Resources'[, at] Rules R657-16 and R657-59.[ of the Utah Administrative Code.]

 

KEY: aquaculture

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [September 15, 2005]2009

Notice of Continuation: February 3, 2005

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 4-2-2; 4-37

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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For questions regarding the content or application of this rule, please contact Kathleen Mathews, Terry Menlove, or Kent Hauck at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7103, 801-538-7162, or 801-538-7025, by FAX at 801-538-7126, 801-538-7169, or 801-538-7169, or by Internet E-mail at kmathews@utah.gov, tmenlove@utah.gov, or khauck@utah.gov

For questions about the rulemaking process, please contact the Division of Administrative Rules (801-538-3764). Please Note: The Division of Administrative Rules is NOT able to answer questions about the content or application of these administrative rules.

Last modified:  12/30/2008 12:21 PM