Importation Of Aquatic Plants And Animals - - CA Fish And Game

Section § 15600

If you're a registered fish farmer, you need to get written approval from the state's department before bringing any live aquatic plants or animals into California. This is based on rules set by a governing commission.

For those looking to bring in anadromous fish (fish that migrate from the sea to freshwater) or their eggs to the Smith River area, this is only allowed if you already had a permit before February 22, 1988. However, exceptions are made for research purposes by universities or scientific groups, as long as the work is considered legitimate by the department.

(a) No live aquatic plant or animal may be imported into this state by a registered aquaculturist without the prior written approval of the department pursuant to the regulations adopted by the commission.

(b) The department shall not approve the importation of, or renew a permit to import, any anadromous fish or roe thereof listed in Section 2118 or the regulations adopted under Section 2118 into the Smith River watershed by a person unless that person had a permit or authorization approved before February 22, 1988. However, the department may issue or renew a permit for the importation of any anadromous fish or roe thereof specifically for research purposes conducted at any university, college, governmental research agency, or other bona fide scientific institution, as determined by the department, engaging in scientific or public health research.

aquatic plant importation live animal importation registered aquaculturist written approval department regulations commission regulations anadromous fish Smith River watershed fish roe permit renewal research purposes university research scientific research public health research governmental research agency

(Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1467, Sec. 2. Effective September 28, 1988.)

Section § 15601

If you apply to import a live aquatic plant or animal according to the rules set by the commission and they don't say no within 60 days, your application is automatically approved.

A written application for the importation of a live aquatic plant or animal that is submitted in conformance with the procedural requirements established by the commission is deemed to be approved if it has not been denied within 60 days.

live aquatic plant importation live animal importation written application commission procedural requirements automatic approval 60-day approval period importation application process aquatic plant approval animal approval importation rules compliance non-denial process commission response time application procedural rules approval by default regulatory compliance

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 132, Sec. 225. (AB 1760) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Section § 15604

Any facility built in the Smith River area for breeding or raising certain fish species, specifically those that migrate from the sea to freshwater to spawn, must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act. No exceptions are allowed for these types of fish facilities.

No facility constructed for the purpose of spawning, incubating, or raising of anadromous fish listed in Section 2118 in the Smith River watershed is exempt from any provision of the California Environmental Quality Act.

Smith River watershed anadromous fish facilities California Environmental Quality Act compliance fish spawning facilities environmental protection fish hatcheries Section 2118 aquatic habitat regulation spawning facilities exceptions anadromous fish species incubation of fish raising of fish Smith River environmental laws fish conservation laws California fish habitats

(Added by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1467, Sec. 5. Effective September 28, 1988.)

Section § 15605

This section of the law makes it clear that the rules in this chapter do not stop people from bringing in or keeping Atlantic Salmon or their eggs, as long as they were legally imported or possessed in the Smith River area before February 22, 1988, with official approval. Also, it does not affect the importation or possession of dead Atlantic salmon or nonviable eggs for eating if the importer has the right licenses from the department.

(a) Nothing in this chapter prohibits the importation of Atlantic Salmon or the roe thereof, or the continued possession of Atlantic salmon or the roe therefrom which were lawfully imported or possessed on or before February 22, 1988, in the Smith River watershed under a written approval of the department issued pursuant to Section 15600.

(b) Nothing in this chapter applies to the importation or possession of dead Atlantic salmon or nonviable roe therefrom imported for human consumption if the importer has the appropriate licenses issued by the department.

Atlantic Salmon importation Smith River watershed roe possession February 22 1988 written approval dead Atlantic salmon nonviable roe human consumption department licenses Section 15600 lawful possession importation rules fishery regulations aquaculture California fishing laws

(Added by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1467, Sec. 6. Effective September 28, 1988.)