North Central Regional Aquaculture Center

Pennsylvania - Adjacent States to North Central Region

Aquaculture Contacts, Transport Regulations, and Approved Aquatic Species

Last updated: 6/23/2008

State Aquaculture Regulatory Authorities  

• Pennsylvania Fish Import Regulations Summary
  

State Fish Health Authorities / Laboratories - none

Aquaculture Industry Contacts

Pennsylvania Aquaculture Association

Charlie Conklin

Pennsylvania Aquaculture Coordinator

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, Pa 17110

(570) 629-0427

Charlieconklin@verizon.net

PA Sport Fish Directory:

http://resources.cas.psu.edu/WaterResources/pdfs/SportsFishDirectory.pdf

PA Sea Grant - Extension:

Eric Obert

Phone: 814-217-9018

eco1@psu.edu

Pennsylvania Fish Import Regulations Summary

PA Department of Agriculture oversees most aquaculture and baitish industry permitting requirements.  These include:

•  Aquaculture Live Bait & Fish Dealers License

•  Aquaculture Reptile & Amphibians Dealers License

•  Aquaculture Live Bait & Fish Propagators License

•  Aquaculture Reptile & Amphibians Propagators License

Applications and additional information are obtainable at the PA Department of Agriculture website located at:  www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=129895

The Department of Agriculture issued a VHS Quarantine Order restricting intra- and inter-state movement of VHS susceptible species (see below under Department of Agriculture authority - VHS Quarantine Order).  In summary, fish listed on the VHS susceptible species list originating from a Great Lake State outside of PA, and those originating from within PA inside of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario watersheds require VHS disease-free certification for importation or movement to other regions in the State.

VHS-susceptible species lots shall be tested in accordance with either the testing protocols described in the current edition of the Fish Health Section Bluebook adopted by the American Fisheries Society or the testing protocols of the Office of International Epizootiologies.  Accredited veterinarians (State or Federal Officials) or Certified Aquaculture Technicians are qualified to conduct sampling. 

Documentation required with importation of VHS susceptible species includes: 

i. completed Aquaculture Verification Certificate

ii. copy of the test results reflecting that the lot is VHS test-negative. 

Aquaculture Verification Certificate forms are available on web (see VHS Quarantine Order below)

PA Fish and Boat Commission regulates and enforces fish importation and transportation (for stocking purposes), taking of fish and fish stocking.  Written authorization is required from the Commission for importation of any live aquatic animal into the State which are to be stocked into PA public waters.  Exemptions exist for tropical fish determined by the Commission as not being potentially dangerous.  Transportation in or through PA of injurious species listed in PA code Chapter 73 is prohibited (see below).

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Regulatory Authorities

Aquaculture live bait, fish dealers, and fish propagators licensing

Aquaculture reptile & amphibians dealers licensing

Licensing for the activities listed above is controlled by the Department of Agriculture (3 Pa.C.S. 4201-4223 Aquaculture Development Law).   Applications and additional information are obtainable at the PA Department of Agriculture website located at:  www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=129895

VHS Quarantine Order (imports and intrastate movement)

PA Department of Agriculture has authority under the Domestic Animal Law to regulate domestic animals and animal disease issues.  Under this authority, the Department of Agriculture issued a VHS Quarantine Order restricting intra- and inter-state movement of VHS susceptible species.  The Quarantine Order includes live fish only.  VHS susceptible species originating from the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec are covered by the VHS Federal Order.  The PA Quarantine Order can be reviewed at:  www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol37/37-41/1864.html

Fish health certification and sampling requirements

Presently only fish listed on the susceptible species list (approved for movement within PA), that are originating from a VHS affected state require fish health certification for VHS.  Details on certification protocols, sampling personnel, certification paperwork and intra-state movement of VHS susceptible species are available for review at the PA Quarantine Order website link (above).

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Regulatory Authorities

Sale and purchase of fish taken from Commonwealth waters

Commercial activities involving aquatic animals (live or dead) from Commonwealth waters are prohibited unless the activity is allowed through a baitfish propagator or dealers license (see PA Code 63.19):

www.pacode.com/secure/data/058/chapter63/s63.19.html

Fish importation (for stocking) and transportation

Transportation of Live Fish into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania falls under Chapter 73 of the PA Code.  Written authorization is required for importation of live aquatic animals if they are to be stocked into public waters of the Commonwealth.  Fish importation to registered aquaculture and baitfish dealers is regulated by the PA Department of Agriculture (see above).  Permission is not required for the importation of tropical fish unless the Commission considers them to be potentially dangerous 

A list of species approved for importation and propagation is maintained by the Commission on an annual basis.

Restricted (e.g. triploid grass carp) and prohibited species are listed in PA Code Chapter 73.  Transportation of the prohibited species through the State of PA is unlawful. 

PA Code Chapter 73 can be reviewed at the following website:  www.pacode.com/secure/data/058/chapter73/chap73toc.html

Propagation and stocking / approved species / open and closed systems

Propagation and introduction of fish into Commonwealth waters is promulgated through PA Code 71.  The Bureau of Fisheries will maintain a list of species by watershed for which the Department of Agriculture may issue registrations for artificial propagation and registrations for dealers of live aquatic animals.  Restrictions and permitting requirements (from both the Commission and Department of Agriculture) exist for grass carp.  Certain restricted species (and/or gametes) may be raised in “closed system” facilities upon approval by the Commission.  Details on closed system requirements, grass carp importation, and stocking public waters can be reviewed in PA Code 71:

www.pacode.com/secure/data/058/chapter71/chap71toc.html

********

Return to State Importation Regulations page