Last updated: 6/29/2020

! 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 Contacts:        

Rob Nichols
WV Department of Agriculture
Aquaculture-Regulatory Officer
1900 Kanawha Blvd. E.
Charleston, WV 25305-2210
304-558-2226
rnichols@ag.state.wv.us

Mark T. Scott
Assistant Chief of Fisheries
WV Division of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Section
324 4th Avenue
Charleston, WV 25303
304-558-2771
Mark.T.Scott@wv.gov

Permits and Inspections Required in West Virginia

WVU Extension provides information regarding permits on their website: Permits and Inspections Required in West Virginia

Fish farmers may need to obtain a fish pond license or a fish seller’s license to market live fish in WV.  Contact WV Department of Agriculture, WV Division of Natural Resources or West Virginia University Aquaculture Extension for information.

Fish Importation Permit Regulation Information

Contact Delana Kinser with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for information and importation permits: Delana.F.Kinser@wv.gov

§20-2-13. Importation of wildlife; certification and inspection of imported wildlife.

No person shall transport into or have in his possession within this state any live wildlife or viable eggs thereof from without the state, except as authorized by the director. The director may issue at his discretion such permit as he is authorized to issue, fix the terms thereof and revoke it at his pleasure. Importers of fish or viable eggs of the family salmondiae (trout, char, salmon) shall furnish a statement from a recognized fish pathologist certifying the source to be free of whirling disease, infectious pancreatic necrosis, viral hemorrhagic septicemia or other diseases which may threaten fish stocks within the state.

Fish Propagation License

§20-2-48. License for private plant or pond for propagating fish, frogs, turtles and other forms of aquatic life for commercial purposes.
 

The director may issue a license for the operation of a private plant, pond or business for the propagation, sale or purchase of fish, frogs, turtles and other forms of aquatic life for commercial purposes. The license shall authorize the holder to breed or raise fish, frogs, turtles and other forms of aquatic life as specified by the license and to buy and sell the same dead or alive or the eggs thereof in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Director.

Two categories of this license will be issued by the division:

• A fish pond license to raise and sell fish frogs, turtles, or other forms of aquatic life.
• A fish sales license to buy and resell fish, frogs, turtles, or other forms of aquatic life.

 Prohibited Species and stocking public waters         

See: §20-2-64 Regulating release of fish, water animal and other aquatic organisms; stocking permit.