North Central Regional Aquaculture Center

Ohio - Aquaculture Contacts, Transport Regulatinos, and Approved Aquatic Species

Ohio

Last updated: 6/2/2008

State Aquaculture Regulatory Authorities  

• Ohio Fish Importation Regulations Summary

State Fish Health Authorities / Laboratories

Dr Tony Forshey, State Veterinarian

tforshey@agri.ohio.gov

Dr. Yan Zhang, Veterinarian

Ohio Department of Agriculture

Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory

614-728-6220

addl@agri.ohio.gov

Aquaculture Industry Contacts

Ohio Aquaculture Association

Bob Calala , President

421 St. Rt. 60

New London, OH 44851

419-929-8052

calala@earthlink.net

Ohio Aquaculture Extension:

State Extension Specialists:

Laura G. Tiu, tiu.2@osu.edu , Geoff Wallet, wallat.1@osu.edu

Ohio State University

South Centers

1864 Shyville Road

Piketon, OH 45661-9749

740-289-2071

1-800-297-2072 (in ohio only)

Fax: 740-289-4591

website: http://southcenters.osu.edu/aqua/

Ohio Fish Propagators and Aquaculture Regulations

are available at the following ODNR website:

www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/FishingSubhomePage/fisheriesmanagementplaceholder/fisheriesmanagementlandingpage/tabid/6499/Default.aspx

Ohio Fish Importation Regulations Summary

Fish importation into the state of Ohio

Live fish imports intended for sale in the state of Ohio from out of state suppliers require the following documents:

a) Fish health inspection and testing report signed by a certified fish health inspector or veterinarian, showing disease free status (901:1-17-13 and 901:1-17-14 Administrative Code, see Ohio Department of Agriculture Oversight below for further information)

b) Fish Importation Permit issued by OH Department of Agriculture (contact Department of Agriculture Aquaculture Coordinator)

c) Transportation Permit issued by ODNR Wildlife Division (fee)

Intrastate movement of live fish requires a Transportation Permit from ODNR.  Current restrictions exist for movement within the state of VHS susceptible species which are not VHS certified (see VHS Emergency Order information below).

Permits required and obtained through ODNR include:

Aquaculture Facility Permits

Commercial Wholesale Permit

Fish Transport Permit

Baitfish Dealer Permit

Stocking Permit

White Amur (Triploid Grass Carp) Permit

See 1) ODNR division of wildlife publication 61

See 2) Ohio Department of Natural Resources Oversight below for further information

See 3) The Ohio State University Center for Aquaculture development website for permit applications and information:  http://southcenters.osu.edu/aqua/q_and_a.htm

Ohio Department of Agriculture Oversight

Veterinary authority for importation of live aquatic animals

Chapter 901:1-17 Importation and Health of Animals

901:1-17-01 General Requirements.

Imported animals shall be healthy and free of symptoms of infectious or contagious diseases and violative residues. They shall not have been recently exposed to any infectious, contagious or parasitic diseases and shall not originate from a herd, flock or area under quarantine. Those animals affected with or exposed to such diseases which are approved for interstate shipment by United States department of agriculture, animal plant health inspection service, veterinary services or other diseases designated by the Ohio department of agriculture, may be imported with a permit from the chief, division of animal industry, department of agriculture.

AC 901:1-17 (animal imports full document) can be reviewed at: http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/901%3A1-17

VHS Emergency Order and Extension 2008-2009

The VHS Emergency Order, signed May 2007 and extended in May 2008, prohibits intrastate transport of non-VHS certified fish over geographical range inside of Ohio for a 1-yr period:

May 3, 2007 VHS Emergency Order  ODA Directors VHS Proclamation

May 16, 2008 VHS Proclamation Extension OH VHS Proc extend 5.16.08

Map of quarantine zone: www.ohioagriculture.gov/Admn/News/2008/news_admn_051608_VHSMap.pdf

Live fish importation permits (AC901:1-17-13)

ODAG live fish import permit requirements are located in AC 901:1-17-13 Fish.  Note that this regulation specifically covers requirements for salmonids only (includes disease health testing requirements).  http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/901%3A1-17-13

Remaining species (approved for import into OH) are covered in the blanket coverage of 901:1-17-01 General Requirements (see above) and VHS Emergency Order.  For additional information and permit application contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture Aquaculture Coordinator.

Fish health certification requirements (AC901:1-17-14)

ODAG fish testing and inspection requirements are located in AC901:1-17-14.  In summary all lots on a farm need to be tested on a prevalence level of 5% at a 95% confidence level.  Some contingencies apply.  See: http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/901%3A1-17-14

Definitions are found in AC901:1-17-2.  These include “accredited laboratory”, “approved veterinarian”, “certificate of veterinary inspection”, and “certified fish health inspector”. See: http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/901%3A1-17-02

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Oversight

Note:  applications to most permits described below can be obtained The Ohio State University Center for Aquaculture development website:  http://southcenters.osu.edu/aqua/q_and_a.htm

Ohio aquaculture facility permit (ORC 1533.632)

Ohio residents rearing and propagating fish for sale require either a Class A or Class B aquaculture permit obtained through ODNR.  Class (A or B) is designated based on whether the species is classified as “unrestricted” or “restricted”.  Fees are required for aquaculture permits.  Wholesale and transport permits can be obtained at no charge with aquaculture permits.  

For additional information and a list of approved (unrestricted and restricted) and prohibited species see

ODNR Division of Wildlife Publication 61 

And Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 1533.632:  http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1533.632

Commercial wholesale permits (ORC 1533.631)

Commercial wholesale permits are required to sell freshwater fish at wholesale in Ohio.  Fees are required for Wholesale Permits unless included with Aquaculture Permits.  Exemptions exist for sales under 500 pounds and persons selling under baitfish dealer permits.  Commercial Wholesale permits are under the same permit application required for a Fish Transportation Permit, and are valid for 1-year.  For additional information see: http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1533.631

Fish transport permit (ORC 1533.301)

Persons transporting fish from outside or inside the state, for destination in Ohio must obtain an annual Fish Transportation Permit from ODNR.  Similar conditions and exemptions apply as for the commercial Wholesale Permit (above).  Fees are required for Fish Transport Permits unless included with Aquaculture Permits.  Exemptions exist for sales under 500 pounds and persons selling under a baitfish dealer permit. For additional information see:  http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1533.301

Baitfish dealer permit (ORC 1533.40)

Persons who buy, sell, or deal in minnows, crayfish, or hellgrammites or collects the listed species for sale must obtain a Baitfish Dealer Permit from ODNR.  Permits are valid for 1-year and expire on 12/31.  A fee is required.  Baitfish species must be already established in Ohio.  For additional information see http://southcenters.osu.edu/aqua/qanda/pub%20330.pdf

Stocking permit

Ohio Administrative Code 1501:31-13-01-7 requires individuals wishing to stock any species into waters of the state to obtain permission from the Chief of ODNR Division of Wildlife.  Health certification is required.  Contact the ODNR Aquaculture Contact person listed above for permit requirements.  Further information on stocking and health certification requirements for stocking salmonids in public waters can be obtain at:  Stocking Guidelines Ohio DOW

White Amur (triploid grass carp) permit

Persons wishing to import or sell triploid white amur in Ohio must obtain written authorization from ODNR.

White Amur Applications for Permit can be found under “Aquaculture Permit Application” at the OSU Center for Aquaculture development website.   

Other States Information:

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