Michigan
Last update: June 2, 2008
| ! Important Notice ! |
| Aquaculturists transporting or selling aquatic animals are responsible for following current regulations required by each state in which the activity occurs (selling or transporting) and are advised to contact state regulatory agencies responsible for permitting these activities. |
State Aquaculture Regulatory Authorities
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Michigan Department of Agriculture:
Dr. Nancy Frank
FrankN@michigan.gov
Dr. Angela Butler
butleran@michigan.gov
Animal Industry Division
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, MI 48909
517-373-1077
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Michigan Department of Natural: Resources:
Gary Whelan
Fisheries Division
P.O. Box 30466
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-6948
whelang@michigan.gov
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State Fish Health Authorities / Laboratories
Dr. Mohamed Faisal
Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory
Michigan State University
S-112 Plant Biology Bldg, East Lansing, MI 48824
ph: 517-432-8258; fax: 517-432-8260
healthyfish@cvm.msu.edu
Aquaculture / Baitfish Industry Contacts
Regional Aquaculture Extension Specialist (RAES) – North Central Region
Chris Weeks
(517) 745-8840
weekschr@msu.edu
Michigan Aquaculture Association
Russ Allen
(517) 347-5537
Shrimpone@aol.com
Michigan Bait Dealers Association
Richard Weidenhammer
(231) 548-5323
michbait@racc2000.com
Michigan Department of Agriculture Oversight:
State veterinary authority
State of Michigan veterinary authority is granted to the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA), Animal Industry Division. Health certifications accepted by MDA must be facilitated though USDA certified veterinarians and laboratories.
MI aquaculture farm registration
All commercial aquaculture facilities residing in MI must be registered with MDA as promulgated through Michigan Aquaculture Development Act 199 of 1996. A list of approved species for aquaculture and import to Michigan is found within this act:
www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(hgqphn55wj5nhsbxpwbb4nqw))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-Act-199-of-1996&queryid=22306171
MI fish health testing for aquaculture
MDA assists MI aquaculture facilities in development of fish health certification plans for stocking public waters. Assistance may include establishing farm sampling programs, identification of certified veterinaries and laboratories for fish health testing. Actual permits for public water stocking are obtained thru MDNR (see below).
Importation and movement of live aquatic animals
Any movement, importing, or exporting of aquaculture species shall be in compliance with the Animal Industry Act, 1988 PA 466, MCL 287.701 to 287.745, for purposes of obtaining a planting permit.
www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(hgqphn55wj5nhsbxpwbb4nqw))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-Act-466-of-1988&queryid=22306116
Importation of live aquatic animals for aquaculture into Michigan falls under section 287.729a:
(1) Aquaculture imported into the State shall be accompanied by 1 of the following issued by an accredited veterinarian:
(a) Official interstate health certificate.
(b) Official interstate certificate of veterinary inspection.
(c) Fish disease inspection report.
(2) A person shall not import aquaculture from a hatchery or other facility with a record of an emergency fish disease within the past 2 years.
(3) A person shall not import aquaculture exhibiting clinical signs of disease.
Diseases requiring live aquaculture species to be free from are those identified by AFS Blue Book as Emergency Diseases. The current list as of March 2008 includes:
VHS, IHN, Ceratomyxosis shastal, and BKD.
Imports must show that the shipment is free of these diseases for species that are known to be susceptible. Only fish listed on APHIS VHS susceptible species list are required to be certified free of VHS.
www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/aquaculture/downloads/vhs_fed_order.pdf
Important: For live aquatic animal imports intended for stocking in public waters see MDNR requirements below as they may require to meet both MDA and MDNR requirements.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Oversight
State natural resource authority
Protection of the State’s natural resources is allocated to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) in the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) act 451 of 1994.
Baitfish, game fish and hunting licensing
Anyone over the age of 17 taking aquatic species; hunting, trapping, or possessing wild animal requires a license administrated by the MDNR.
Taking of baitfish from state waters for commercial use, or importation of baitfish for commercial use requires a baitfish license administrated by the MDNR per act MCL 324.48728 – 324.48731.
www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(uognb5ioyga4xh4510qn5u55))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-451-1994-III-2-3-AQUATIC-SPECIES-487-IV
For licensing and cost information see MCL 324.48732
www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(uognb5ioyga4xh4510qn5u55))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-324-48732
Permits and exceptions are listed in MCL 324.48735:
Exceptions may be obtained with permit only (issued by MDNR) for the following activities:
Fish culture
Scientific investigation
Stocking and possession of live fish in ponds, pools and aquariums
Importation of live game fish and/or eggs
Baitfish wholesale, retail and sales permitting (VHS) / Baitfish use (VHS)
All live fish sales under the jurisdiction of MDNR must now comply with the Fish Disease Control Order (FO245).
http://michigan.gov/documents/dnr/FO-425_199353_7.pdf
Included in FO245 are restrictions pertaining to all of the following:
Regulation by management area (positive, surveillance, and pathogen free zones)
List of prohibited species for pathogens of concern
Facility certification, permits and receipts
All baitfish sales - wholesale and retail
Transportation of baitfish
Recreational fishing with live bait
Stocking of baitfish, live fish or use of roe in public waters
Michigan public water stocking
Stocking live fish in public waters falls under MCL 324.48735: “A person shall not plant any spawn, fry, or fish of any kind in any of the public waters of this state or any other waters under the jurisdiction of this state without first obtaining a permit from the department that states the species, number, and approximate size or age of the spawn, fry, or fish to be planted and the name and location of the waters where the spawn, fry, or fish shall be planted.”
State of Michigan Public water stocking permits are available on line at:
www.michigan.gov/documents/PrivateFishStockingPermitProcess_49511_7.pdf
Fish health certifications are required for nearly all public water stockings:
Salmonids:
All salmonids to be stocked in public waters will have to be certified as disease free for the following:
IHN
IPN
Whirling disease
VHS
Non-salmonids:
Fish species listed on APHIS VHS susceptible species list are required to be certified free of VHS.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/aquaculture/downloads/vhs_fed_order.pdf
Fish imports for stocking public waters:
Fish being imported from known or suspected areas with heterosporis will need to be certified free of this disease to be permitted for stocking in public waters thus the exact location of the importing facility must be provided. Fish being imported from out-of-state sources of the indicated species will need to be certified free of largemouth bass virus, channel catfish virus, and sturgeon virus to be permitted for stocking in public waters.
Other States Information:
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