DAR File No. 28119

Agriculture and Food, Animal Industry

R58-17

Aquaculture and Aquatic Animal Health

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE

DAR File No.: 28119
Filed: 08/01/2005, 10:50
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is being amended because of the review that was done by the board for the five-year review that was due 06/15/2005.

Summary of the rule or change:

The changes add and change text determined by the Board to clarify the intent of this rule. The table has been changed in Section R58-17-20 to clearly classify pathogens, the species, and the inspection requirements.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Sections 4-37-101 and 4-37-503, and Subsection 4-2-2(j)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to the state budget. The cost is an assessment to the owners for Certificate Registration.

local governments:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to local government. The cost is an assessment to the owners for Certificate Registration.

other persons:

There is a $30 fee for a Certificate of Registration for fee-fishing facilities and a $150 fee for aquaculture facilities. In addition, any violation of or failure to comply with any provision of this rule may be grounds for issuance of citations and levying of fines; the maximum cost would be $5,000.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There is a $30 fee for a Certificate of Registration for fee-fishing facilities and a $150 fee for aquaculture facilities. In addition, any violation of or failure to comply with any provision of this rule may be grounds for issuance of citations and levying of fines; the maximum cost would be $5,000.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The impact on businesses would be the fee charged for the Certificate of Registration. Leonard M. Blackham, Commissioner

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Marolyn Leetham, Kent Hauck, or Mike Marshall at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7114, 801-538-7025, or 801-538-7160, by FAX at 801-538-7126, 801-538-7169, or 801-538-7169, or by Internet E-mail at mleetham@utah.gov, khauck@utah.gov, or mmarshall@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

09/14/2005

This rule may become effective on:

09/15/2005

Authorized by:

Leonard M. Blackham, Commissioner

RULE TEXT

R58. Agriculture and Food, Animal Industry.

R58-17. Aquaculture and Aquatic Animal Health.

R58-17-1. Authority and Purpose.

(A) This rule is promulgated under the authority of Section 4-37-101 (et seq.) Amendments, Subsection 4-2-2(j) and 4-37-503.

(B) [It is the intent of t]This rule [to ] establishes a program for the registration and fish health monitoring of aquaculture facilities, fee-fishing facilities, fish brokering, public aquaculture facilities, public fishery resources, private fish ponds, institutional facilities, private stocking, short-term fishing events and displays. This rule also addresses the importation [(entry) ]of aquatic animals [(including fish, fish eggs, gametes) ]into [the State of ]Utah and establishes requirements for health approval of aquatic animals and their sources. The program is based on the monitoring of facility operations and aquatic animal movements to prevent the exposure to and spread of pathogens or diseases which adversely affect both cultured and wild aquatic animal stocks.

(C) Persons engaged in [any of the aquatic animal ]operations listed in R58-17-1(B) must comply with the rules [concerning]for site selection and species control under Department of Agriculture and Food 4-37-201(3)and 4-37-301(3) and Department of Natural Resources rules R657-3 and R657-16.

(D) This rule is part of a statewide aquaculture disease control effort that includes procedures and policies established and adopted by the Fish Health Policy Board.

R58-17-2. Definitions.

(A) The following terms are defined for [the purpose of ]this rule:

(1) "Aquaculture" means the controlled cultivation of aquatic animals. In this rule, the word "aquaculture" refers to commercial aquaculture.

(2)(a) "Aquaculture facility" means any tank, canal, raceway, pond, off-stream reservoir, fish processing plant or other structure used for aquaculture. "Aquaculture facility" does not include any public aquaculture facility or fee fishing facility, as defined in this rule.

(b) Structures that are separated by more than 1/2 mile, or structures that drain to or are modified to drain into different drainages, are considered separate aquaculture facilities regardless of ownership.

(3)(a) "Aquatic animal" means a member of any species of fish, mollusk, crustacean, or amphibian.

(b) "Aquatic animal" includes a gamete or egg of any species listed in definitions under Subsection R58-17-2(3)(a).

(4) "Blue Book" means a set of the most current standard procedures approved by the American Fisheries Society for inspecting the health of aquatic animals.

([4]5) "Brokers [and dealers" are]or fish brokering" refers to the activities of dealers, entities, individuals or companies that are in the business of buying, selling, exchanging or transferring live aquatic animals between approved or licensed facilities pursuant to R58-17-13(C) and R58-17-14 without being actively involved in the culture, rearing or growth of the animals. This includes a person or company who rears aquatic animals, but also buys and sells (brokers) additional aquatic animals without rearing them[ pursuant to R58-17-14(D)].

([5]6) "Certificate of Registration (COR)" means an official document which [registers]licenses facilities with the Department of Agriculture and Food or which [registers]licenses facilities and events with the Division of Wildlife Resources pursuant to R58-17-4. The purpose of the [document]COR is to establish the legal description of the facility, the species of aquatic animals reared and to grant the authority to engage in the described activity.

([6]7) "Department" means the Department of Agriculture and Food with appropriate regulatory responsibility pursuant to R58-17-4(A)(1) in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4-2-2 and 4-37-104, Utah Code.

(8) "Disease History" means a record of all known pathogens that have historically affected aquatic animals reared at a facility that seeks health approval pursuant to R58-17-15(C)(2)(b).

([7]9) "Division" means the Division of Wildlife Resources in the Department of Natural Resources with the appropriate regulatory responsibility pursuant to R58-17-4(A)(2), R657-3, R657-16 in accordance with the provisions of Sections [4-2-2]23-14-1 and [4-37-104]4-37-105, Utah Code.

([8]10) "Egg only sources" refers to a separate category of salmonid fish health approval that allows for the purchase of "fish eggs only" from a facility pursuant to R58-17-15(B)(5) and (D)(1). This category makes the distinction between those pathogens that are vertically transmitted (from parent to offspring through the egg, i.e., Renibacterium salmoninarum (BKD), IHNV, IPNV, OMV, VHSV, SVCV, EHNV) and those horizontally transmitted (from one fish to another by contact or association, i.e., Aeromonas salmonicida, Asian tapeworm, Ceratomyxa shasta, Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (PKX), Myxobolus cerebralis (whirling disease), and Yersinia ruckeri).

([9]11) "Emergency prohibited pathogen" is a pathogen that causes high morbidity and high mortality, is exotic to Utah, and requires immediate action. [This type of pathogen]These pathogens generally cannot be treated and [is]shall be controlled through avoidance, eradication, and disinfection (see R58-17-20).

([10]12) "Emergency Response Procedures" are procedures [approved]established by the Fish Health Policy Board to be activated any time an emergency prohibited or prohibited pathogen is reported pursuant to R58-17-9 and R58-17-15(D)(6).

([11]13) "Emergency response team" means teams as [approved]defined by the Fish Health Policy Board responsible for developing and executing action plans to respond to and report findings of emergency prohibited or prohibited pathogens pursuant to R58-17-9, R58-17-10(A)(1) and R58-17-10(B)(1).

([12]14) "Entry Permit" means an official document issued by the Department which grants permission to the permit holder to import aquatic animals into Utah pursuant to R58-17-13. An entry permit is issued for [a 30 day period]up to 30 days and stipulates [which]the species, size or age, weight and source of aquatic animals [are ]to be imported.

(15) "Facility disease history report" means a report of all known pathogens that have historically affected aquatic animals reared at a facility seeking approval pursuant to R58-17-15, subsections (B)(6), (C)(1)(a), and (C)(2)(b) and (d).

([13]16) "Fee fishing facility" means a body of water used for holding or rearing aquatic animals for the purpose of providing fishing for a fee or for pecuniary consideration or advantage pursuant to Section 4-37-103 and R58-17-18.

([14]17) "Fish health approved/health approval" means a system of procedures [and processes ]which allows an assessment of the disease history of a facility or population of aquatic animals and which grants a statistical assurance that neither "emergency prohibited" nor "prohibited" pathogens are present. The Department's and Division's responsibilities for granting health approval are delineated in R58-17-15. [Fish ]Health Approval status is granted to qualified COR holders in Utah and to aquatic animal sources inside and outside of Utah, all of which have satisfactorily completed health approval [assessment ]requirements pursuant to R58-17-15, [have been assigned a health approval number, ]and placed on the fish health approval list (R58-17-13(C)). [Fish h]Health approval of the source facility is necessary before [buying, selling or brokering aquatic animals within Utah or importing]a COR holder may purchase from the source facility or before the source facility may sell, transfer, or broker aquatic animals in or into Utah pursuant to R58-17-14.

([15]18) "Fish Health Policy Board" means the board created pursuant to Amendment 4-37-503 and referred to in R58-17 as the "Board".

([16]19) "Fish processing plant" means a facility pursuant to [R58-17-2(A)(2)(a),] R58-17-13(G) and (H), and R58-17-17 used for receiving whole dead, eviscerated fresh or frozen salmonids or other live and dead aquatic animals as approved on the COR for processing.

(20) "Five-year disease history" means a report of all known pathogens affecting each stock native to, propagated at, or imported to the originating facility. These stocks or the offspring of these stocks are subsequently moved to another facility that seeks health approval pursuant to R58-17-15 subsections (B)(6), (C)(1)(a), and (C)(2)(b) and (d). The report shall cover up to the previous five years.

([17]21) "Import/importation" means to bring live aquatic animals, by any means into the State of Utah from any location outside the state and to subsequently possess and use them for any purpose.

([18]22) "Institutional aquaculture" means aquaculture engaged in by any institution of higher learning, school, or other educational program.

(23) "OIE" means the Office International des Epizooties of the World Organization for Animal Health, an intergovernmental organization that was established in 1924 to promote world animal health. The OIE provides guidelines and standards for health regulations and diagnostic tests. The most recent manual of health standards for aquatic animals is used to inspect for aquatic animal pathogens, for which the Bluebook has not developed standards. Such pathogens include EHNV, WSSV, YHV, TSV, and IHHNV covered in R58-17-20.

([19]24) "Ornamental fish" means any species of aquatic animals that are reared or marketed for their beauty or exotic characteristics, rather than for consumptive or recreational use. Tropical fish, goldfish and koi are included in the category of ornamental fish. This does not include those species of aquatic animals listed as prohibited or controlled in Department of Natural Resources rule R657-3. Ornamental fish are not regulated under rules R58-17 or R657-3. If the Department or Division determines that an introduction of ornamental fish poses a disease risk for aquatic animals, then all requirements under this rule apply.

([20]25)(a) "Private fish pond" means a body of water where privately owned aquatic animals are propagated or kept.

(b) "Private fish pond" does not include any aquaculture facility or fee fishing facility.

([21]26) "Procedures for the Timely Reporting of Pathogens" means procedures [approved]established by the [Fish Health Policy ] Board for the timely reporting of emergency prohibited, prohibited, or reportable pathogens from any source in Utah or from any out-of-state health approved source pursuant to R58-17-9 and R58-17-15(D)(5).

([22]27) "Prohibited pathogen" is a pathogen that can cause high morbidity or high mortality, may be endemic to Utah, and requires action in a reasonable time. [frame. A prohibited pathogen is] Prohibited pathogens are generally very difficult or impossible to treat and [is]can only be controlled through avoidance, eradication, and disinfection, etc (see R58-17-20).

([23]28)(a) "Public aquaculture facility" means a tank, canal, raceway, pond, off-stream reservoir, or other structure used for [aquaculture]the controlled cultivation of aquatic animals by the Division, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or an institution of higher education.

(b) Structures that are separated by more than 1/2 mile, or structures that drain to or are modified to drain into different drainages, are considered separate public aquaculture facilities.

([24]29) "Public fishery resource" means aquatic animals produced in public aquaculture facilities, purchased or acquired for public fishery waters and sustained as wild and free ranging populations [of aquatic animals ]in the surface waters of the state.

([25]30) "Quarantine" means the restriction of movement of live or dead aquatic animals regardless of age and of all equipment and hauling trucks into or from an area designated by the Commissioner of Agriculture or State Veterinarian pursuant to R58-17-10 and Agricultural code 4-31-16 and 17.

([26]31) "Reportable pathogen" is a pathogen that generally is [not a problem if]prevented using good management practices[ are followed].[ It is possible to prevent or treat a reportable pathogen.] Reportable pathogens are not prohibited in Utah but may be prohibited in some other states or countries[. These pathogens are of concern because of their possible effect on commerce in aquatic animals] (see R58-17-20). Inspections are not required for reportable pathogens, but positive findings must be reported to the Board.

(32) "Salmonid and non-salmonid" designate aquatic animals based on the range of optimal growth temperatures used in their culture. "Salmonid" means any species of aquatic animal that is of the order Salmoniformes and optimally lives in coldwater conditions. "Non-salmonid" means any species of aquatic animal that is not of the order Salmoniformes nor cultured in coldwater conditions. For purposes of R58-17, aquatic animals such as cool water fish, warm water fish, and crustaceans (shrimp, crayfish, and prawns) are classified as non-salmonids.

([27]33) "Source" means all[the] rearing or holding [environment of]locations during all of the life stages of an aquatic animal.

([28]34) "Unregulated pathogen" is a pathogen that is not regulated in Utah. Unregulated pathogens include all pathogens not classified as either emergency prohibited, prohibited, or reportable. Reporting of these pathogens to the Fish Health Policy Board is not required (see R58-17-20).

R58-17-3. Penalties.

Any violation of or failure to comply with any provision of this rule or R657-16 or any specific requirement contained in a certificate of registration or entry permit issued pursuant to this rule or R657-16 may be grounds for issuance of citations, levying of fines, revocation of the certificate of registration or denial of future certificates of registration pursuant to Subsections 4-2-2(1)(f) and 4-2-15(1), as determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food and pursuant to Sections 23-19-9 and 23-13-11, as determined by the Director of the Division of Wildlife Resources.

R58-17-4. Certificate of Registration (COR) Required.

(A) Activities requiring a COR:

(1) A COR, issued by the Department, is required before a person may engage in the following activities within the [State of ]Utah:

(a) Operate an aquaculture facility.

(b) Operate a fee-fishing facility.

(c) Operate a fish processing plant.

(d) Broker aquatic animals.

(2) A COR, issued by the Division, is required for operation of the following activities within the State of Utah:

(a) public aquaculture facilities;.

(b) private fish ponds (R657-16-10);

(c) institutional aquaculture facilities (R657-16-13);

(d) short term fishing events (R657-16-11);

(e) private stocking (R657-16-12);

(f) displays (R657-16-14).

(3) [One of the above CORs must be in place prior to the issuance of an entry permit for importing live aquatic animals into Utah.]Entry permits shall be issued only to holders of current CORs for the activities named in this subsection.[

(B) No refunds may be given. Sales of CORs are final.]

R58-17-5. Species Allowed.

(A) Pursuant to Department of Natural Resources rule R657-3, only those species [approved]authorized by the Wildlife Board and listed on the COR may be [used]imported, possessed, or transported in conjunction with the activity listed on the COR.

(B) Pursuant to 4-37-105(1), 4-37-201(3)(B) and 4-37-301(3)(B) the Department shall coordinate with the Division to determine which species the holder of a COR may propagate, possess, transport or sell.

(C) The Department will insure that the species described on CORs and entry permits issued by the Department are those [approved]authorized by the Division.

R58-17-6. Qualifying Waters.

(A) [An]A private or public aquaculture facility, fee-fishing facility or private fish pond may not be developed on natural lakes, natural flowing streams, or reservoirs constructed on natural stream channels. Other water, including canals, offstream reservoirs, and excavated ponds or raceways [will]may be considered for use as an aquaculture or fee-fishing facility.

(B) During the COR application process, the Department shall coordinate with the Division to determine the suitability of the proposed site pursuant to R58-17-6(A), 4-37-111, 4-37-201(3) and 4-37-301(3).

R58-17-7. Screens Required.

(A) Screens or other devices that are designed to prevent the movement of fish into or out of an aquaculture facility, fee-fishing facility, public aquaculture facility, private fish pond, institutional aquaculture facility, short term fishing event or display must be placed at the inflow and outflow. The presence of adequate screening or other devices is a precondition to issuance or renewal of CORs.

(B) As part of the COR issuance process, the Department or the Division shall make site visits and determine the adequacy of screening.

(C) During and following the COR application process, the Department or Division may inspect screening or other devices in their respective areas of responsibility to assure compliance with Subsections R58-17-7(A) and (B) during reasonable hours.

(D) It is the responsibility of the COR holder to report to the Department or Division, depending on which agency issued the COR, all escapements of aquatic animals from facilities. This is to be done within 72 hours of the loss or knowledge of the loss. The report shall include facility names, date of loss, estimate of number of aquatic animals lost, names of the public water the aquatic animals escaped into, remedial actions taken, and plans for future remedial action. The COR holder and/or facility operator will bear all costs for remedial actions. The Department or Division shall notify all affected agencies and [affected ]parties within two working days. The agency having responsibility may suspend all activities at the facility, including aquatic animal imports, transfers, sales, fishing, etc., until the investigation and remedial actions are completed.

R58-17-8. Application and Renewal of Certificates of Registration (CORs).

(A) Application process.

(1) For application procedures pursuant to R58-17-4, contact the Fish Health Program of the Department at 350 N. Redwood Road, Box 146500, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6500 for activities listed in R58-17-4(A)(1) or the Wildlife Registration Office of the Division at 1594 West North Temple, Suite 2110, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6301 for activities listed in R58-17-4(A)(2).

(2) The application form must be completed and sent to the appropriate address with the required fee. Forms that are incomplete, incorrect or not accompanied by the required fee may be returned.

(3) Department or Division [approval]authorization of the site and species will be done at the earliest possible date. The Department will make every effort to process applications submitted to it within [two weeks]14 work days pursuant to [4-37-201(3)]R58-17-5 and [4-37-301(3)]R58-17-6. Pursuant to R657-16-4, applications submitted under the jurisdiction of the Division require up to 45 days for processing, except for short-term fishing events, which require up to 10 days.

(4) [Upon approval]If the application is granted, a written COR and COR number will be issued. [This certificate will be sent to the facility owner or operator and should be filed]The COR holder shall keep a copy of the COR on file for 2 years pursuant to Section 4-37-110.

(5) If the application is denied, a written explanation will be sent to the applicant.

(B) Renewal process.

(1) All CORs are valid until December 31 for the calendar year issued [and will remain valid until January 31 of the following year]unless specified otherwise on the COR or unless renewed sooner.

(2) CORs [are]must be renewed annually by submitting a completed application and the required fee to the Department or Division, and by complying with all other applicable renewal criteria.

(3) Failure to timely renew the COR annually may result in the loss of health approval, denial of future CORs, and the removal or destruction pursuant to R58-17-13(G) of the live or dead aquatic animals at the facility. Removal or disposal of live or dead aquatic animals is the responsibility of the owner and shall be done by means acceptable to the [Department]agency having responsibility.

(C) CORs are not transfer[r]able.

R58-17-9. Reporting Fish Diseases.

Persons involved in aquaculture and being regulated by this rule, having knowledge of the existence in the state of any of the diseases currently on the pathogen list, Subsection R58-17-15(D)(2), (3), and (4), shall report it to the Department, Fish Health Program or the Division, Aquatics Section. The Department or Division will follow the Procedures for the Timely Reporting of Pathogens and the Emergency Response Procedures [developed]established by the [Fish Health Policy ]Board[ in determining reporting and response procedures]. All confirmed findings of pathogens pursuant to R58-17-15(D)(2), (3), and (4), determined from such incidents or from inspections or diagnostic work initiated by the Department or the Division, will be reported to the [Fish Health Policy ]Board.

R58-17-10. Quarantine of Aquatic Animals and Premises.

(A) If evidence exists that the aquatic animals [of]in any facility are infected with or have been exposed to pathogens [pursuant to]listed in R58-17-15(D)(2) and (3), then a quarantine may be imposed by the Commissioner of Agriculture or the State Veterinarian. This action may be reviewed by the [Fish Health Policy ]Board for recommendations to the Department.

(1) Lifting of the quarantine imposed on a facility infected with or exposed to emergency or prohibited pathogens requires [a minimum of two negative tests, six months apart, ]the creation and implementation of a biosecurity plan that specifies action to control the pathogen and includes testing requirements of all lots of fish to verify the absence of the pathogen. In addition, the Department may require [disinfection]decontamination of the facilities and equipment in accordance with current medical knowledge of the organism, [American Fisheries Society ]the Blue Book[ procedures], and guidelines set forth by the Emergency Response Team.

(2) If the Department has reasonable evidence that the contagion is still present pursuant to R58-17-11, then quarantine, closure, or other measures such as decontamination of the facility and equipment, destruction of aquatic animals, etc. [shall]may be imposed. Such measures will be in accordance with current medical knowledge of the organism, the Blue Book, and guidelines set forth by the Emergency Response Team.

(B) A quarantine may be imposed by the Commissioner of Agriculture or the State Veterinarian where aquatic animals are possessed, transported or transferred in violation of this rule, wildlife rules, or statute and consequently pose a possible disease threat; or where a quarantine is reasonably necessary to protect aquatic animals within the state. This action may be reviewed by the [Fish Health Policy ]Board for recommendations to the Department.

(1) Quarantines imposed on facilities for rule or statute violations or for purposes of protecting aquatic animals may be lifted once sufficient evidence is presented to the State Veterinarian's satisfaction that infection is not present at the facility or that biosecurity control measures are being followed which will control further spread of the pathogen, and that removal of the quarantine does not create a risk to other aquatic animal populations. In addition, the Department may require [disinfection] decontamination of the facilities and equipment in accordance with current medical knowledge of the organism, [American Fisheries Society ]Blue Book procedures, and guidelines set forth by the Emergency Response Team.

(2) If the Department has reasonable evidence that the contagion is present pursuant to R58-17-11, then quarantine, closure, or other measures shall be imposed pursuant to R58-17-10(A)(2).

(C) Any person, license pursuant to R58-17 and affiliated with a facility under quarantine, who delivers aquatic animals from health-approved sources for other public or private aquaculture facilities may, with written permission from the Department, use their hauling trucks if the operator either houses the truck off the quarantined facility, or [disinfects]sanitizes the truck according to Department recommendations each time it leaves the quarantined facility.

R58-17-11. Handling of Aquatic Animals and Premises Confirmed to Be Infected With a Listed Pathogen in R58-17-15(D).

(A) Where any facility or group of aquatic animals is confirmed to be infected with one or more of the pathogens listed in R58-17-15(D), the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food or State Veterinarian may [place a ]quarantine and take steps to prevent the spread of the pathogen and to eliminate it[ from the facility]. These actions may be reviewed by the [Fish Health Policy ]Board for recommendations to the Department. The Department or Division, in their respective areas of responsibility, may take one or more of the following actions as listed below in this subsection, depending on [which]the pathogen [is ]involved and the potential effects of the pathogen on the receiving water, neighboring aquaculture facilities or the public fishery resource.

(1) Destruction and disposal of all infected and exposed aquatic animals.

(2) Cleaning and [disinfection]decontamination or disposal of all handling equipment and holding facilities.

(3) Testing is required of all lots of fish, which may be at the owner's expense, to detect the presence or spread of the pathogen. This may include the use of sentinel fish. After two negative tests, six months apart, the quarantine shall be reas[s]essed, possibly released, and/or other measures may be imposed pursuant to R58-17-10(A)(2). [Following removal of the quarantine]Once sufficient evidence shows that the pathogen is not present at a facility, full restocking [can]may begin.

(4) The infected aquatic animals may be allowed to remain on the premises through the production cycle depending on the pathogen involved and its potential effects on adjacent animals. All stocks within the facility shall be tested [every 6 months or sooner]according to provisions outlined in the biosecurity plan to determine if the pathogen persists[ in infecting the aquatic animals]. At the end of the production cycle, then testing [shall]should be done at least annually. If the pathogen is not found after two consecutive annual inspections, then testing may revert to the original requirements for the facility. If biosecurity of the facility cannot or is not being maintained, immediate destruction of the stocks may be required. The biosecurity plan for the facility shall remain in effect if the COR holder sells or goes out of business.

R58-17-12. Statement of Variances.

Circumstances may arise which cannot be adequately addressed or resolved with this rule. The [Fish Health Policy ]Board may grant specific variances to the rule if the following conditions are met:

(A) The variance is based on scientifically sound information and rationale.

(B) The variance will cause no significant threat to other aquaculture operations, state or private, or to [wild fish populations]public fishery resources.

(C) The variance is documented appropriately.

R58-17-13. Importation of Aquatic Animals or Aquaculture Products Into Utah.

(A) An official ENTRY PERMIT is required to import live aquatic animals or their gametes into Utah[ from any location outside the state]. This permit is in addition to the COR for operation of the facility. The entry permit can be obtained at no charge by contacting the Department, Fish Health Program and providing the following information:

(1) Name, address, phone number and COR number of importer.

(2) Species, size and/or number of aquatic animals [or eggs] to be imported.

(3) Name and health approval number of sources, origin of aquatic animals[/eggs], transfer history, and approximate date of shipment.

(4) For international shipments, a certificate of veterinary inspection from the source must be obtained by the importer indicating a negative record of testing by OIE reference labs for prohibited pathogens pursuant to R58-17-15(D)(2) and (3), a negative record of other OIE-listed pathogens affecting the aquatic animals to be imported, and that known nuisance species are not found in the water source. In addition, written authorization from the US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) for the importation must be included.

(B) Each shipment of live aquatic animals[/eggs] must be [approved ]authorized[individually]. A copy of the entry permit will be sent to the requesting party and a copy must accompany the shipment. The permit holder shall allow [one]up to two weeks for the Department to verify the health approval status of the source and to verify [approved]authorized species status pursuant to R58-17-5.

(C) All import shipments of live aquatic animals must originate from sources that have been health approved by the Department pursuant to R58-17-15(A)(2) and (B)[assigned a fish health approval number]. A list of approved sources is maintained by the Department, but [cannot be]the list is not published due to frequent updates. Information on currently approved sources may [only] be obtained by contacting the Department Fish Health Program.

(D) All importations must be species that have been [approved]authorized by the Wildlife Board and the Division pursuant to R657-3 and 4-37-105(1).

(E) To import live grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), a COR and an ENTRY PERMIT are required. In addition, the fish must also be verified as being triploid (sterile) by a [source]laboratory and method acceptable to the Department. A U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service triploid verification form must be obtained from the supplier as required in R657-16-7. Both this form and the Department's statement verifying treatment or testing for the Asian tapeworm must be on file with the Department prior to shipment of the fish. Copies of the entry permit, treatment [and]or testing statement and the triploid verification forms must accompany the fish during transit. The statement verifying treatment or testing is also required for all aquatic animal species that are known or reported hosts or carriers of the Asian tapeworm.

(F) The State Veterinarian may require treatment or testing of any aquatic animal species in accordance with current medical knowledge before importation.

(G) Whole dead and eviscerated fresh or frozen salmonid fish or live aquatic animals [pursuant to R58-17-2(A)(16) ]may be imported into Utah for processing at a fish processing plant without an Entry Permit. Live salmonid fish may be imported into and transported within Utah for processing at a fish processing plant without an Entry Permit, but they must be killed upon release from the transport vehicle and may not be held live at the fish processing plant. Waste products, i.e., brine shrimp cysts, carcasses, viscera and waste water, must be incinerated, buried with "quick lime" (Calcium oxide), composted, digested, or disposed of by means acceptable to the Department to deter the spread of pathogens and non-native species pursuant to R657-3 by water or animals. The Department may apply the requirements in this subsection to other species of aquatic animals and pathogens if future needs arise.

(H) Placement of dead fish, fish parts, or fish waste products from a fish processing plant, or live or dead aquatic animals from any facility into public waters is illegal. Proper disposal is the responsibility of the processor/owner/broker pursuant to R58-17-13(G).

(I) All transport vehicles, [carrying]importing aquatic animals imported into Utah or [transported]transporting them through Utah pursuant to R58-17-14(C), must have proper documentation and are subject to inspection. The lack of proper documentation and/or the findings of an inspection may result in entry denial, fines, or other Department actions. All inspection costs will be born by the importer.

R58-17-14. Buying, Selling, and Transporting Aquatic Animals.

(A) Buying aquatic animals:

Live aquatic animals, except ornamental fish, unless the ornamental fish are determined a risk pursuant to R58-17-2(A)(24), may be purchased or acquired only by persons or entities who [have]possess a valid COR [to possess such]that authorizes the animals. This applies to separate facilities owned by the same individual. Live aquatic animals must be purchased only from sources that either are located in-state and have a valid COR for [commercial ]aquaculture or are located outside of Utah. In both cases, the sources must also be on the current fish health approval list.

(B) Selling aquatic animals:

Live aquatic animals, except ornamental fish, unless the ornamental fish are determined a risk pursuant to R58-17-2(A)(24), may be sold only by a person or entity located in-state who possesses a valid COR for aquaculture or by a person or entity located outside of Utah. Current listing for each source and species on the [fish ]health approval list is also required. Within Utah, an aquaculture facility operator may only sell or transfer live aquatic animals to a person or entity, which has been issued a valid COR to possess such animals.

(C) Transporting aquatic animals:

(1) Any person possessing a valid COR may transport the live aquatic animals specified on the COR to [their]the facility named on the COR[or approved site].

(2) All transfers or shipments of live aquatic animals within Utah, except ornamental fish, unless the ornamental fish are determined a risk pursuant to R58-17-2(A)(24), must be accompanied by documentation of the source and destination, including:

(a) Name, address, phone number, COR number and COR expiration date, fish health approval number and expiration date of source and transfer history.

(b) Species, size, number or weight being shipped.

(c) Name, address, phone number, COR number and COR expiration date of the destination.

(d) Date of transaction.

(3) Live aquatic animals may be shipped through Utah without a COR, provided that the animals will not be sold, released or transferred, the products remain in the original container, water from the out-of-state source is not exchanged or released, and the shipment is in Utah no longer than 72 hours. Proof of legal ownership, origin of aquatic animals and destination must accompany the shipment.

(4) Any person who hauls fish may transport a species other than those listed on their COR provided the source facility and destination both have a valid COR to possess that species.

(5) No person may move or cause to be moved aquatic animals from a facility known to be exposed to or infected with any of the [diseases currently]pathogens on the pathogen list, R58-17-15(D)(2) through (4), without first reporting it to the appropriate regulating agency pursuant to R58-17-9 and receiving written authorization to move the aquatic animals.

(D) Brokers[ and Dealers]:

(1) Brokers [and Dealers must]shall follow the same requirements that other producers [do with respect]follow as to importation, [fish ]health approval of their facility and their source facilities and assuring that live sales are only made to those with valid CORs.

(2) [To gain fish]To qualify for health approval of their fish, brokers [and dealers must]shall obtain health approval for all [their ]source facilities from which they broker fish.

R58-17-15. Aquatic Animal Health Approval.

(A) Live aquatic animals, except ornamental fish, unless the ornamental fish are determined a risk pursuant to R58-17-2(A)(24), may be acquired, purchased, sold or transferred only from sources which have been granted health approval by the Department [and assigned a fish health approval number]pursuant to this section. This applies to separate facilities owned by the same individual and to both in-state and out-of-state facilities.

(1) [Within Utah, t]The Department shall be responsible for granting health approval and assigning [an aquatic animal]a health approval number to aquaculture facilities in Utah, [fee-fishing facilities ]and to any out-of-state sources pursuant to [amendment ]4-37-501(1). The Division shall be responsible for granting health approval and assigning [an aquatic animal]a health approval number to public aquaculture facilities within the state, [private fish ponds within the state,] and for the movement of live[wild populations of] aquatic animals from wild populations in waters of the state pursuant to [amendment ]4-37-501(1).

(2) The Department is responsible for granting health approval for the importation into or transportation through Utah of aquatic animals.

(3) The [Fish Health Policy ]Board may review health approval actions of the Department [and/]or the Division.

(B) Basis for Health Approval:

(1) Health approval for salmonid [species]aquatic animals is based on the statistical attribute sampling of [fish from ]each lot of aquatic animals [on]at the facility in accordance with current [American Fisheries Society ]Blue Book procedures. This shall require minimum sampling at the 95% confidence level, assuming a 5% carrier [incidence]prevalence for the prohibited pathogens, pursuant to R58-17-15(D)(2) and (3). Health approval is applied to the entire facility, not individual lots of fish.

(2) All lots of fish shall be sampled.[ Approval will be withheld if a pathogen listed under R58-17-15(D)(2) or (3) is detected in any of the lots.]

(3) For brood facilities, lethal sampling may be required on

the brood fish if the following conditions [are not met]exist:

(a) Progeny are not available at the facility for lethal sampling[.];or

(b) A statistically valid sample of ovarian fluids from ripe females is not tested.

(4) Collection, transportation and laboratory testing of the samples will follow standard procedures specified by the Department, the Division and the [Fish Health Policy ]Board. Inspections will be conducted under the direction of an individual [who has received certification]certified by the American Fisheries Society as a fish health inspector.

(5) EGG ONLY sources - A facility which cannot gain full [fish ]health approval because of a horizontally transmitted pathogen, may be approved to sell eggs provided [they]the eggs are free of the listed vertically transmitted pathogens pursuant to R58-17-15(D)(1) and are properly disinfected using approved methods prior to shipment. Eggs may be required to be from incubation units isolated from hatchery and open water supplies and to be from fish-free water sources.

(6) Health approval for [warm water species]non-salmonid aquatic animals is based on [disease history information obtained from the producer, fish pathologists or other fish health professionals in the producer's state or locale. Standardized inspection protocols for warm water fish diseases have not been developed.]specific pathogen testing for that identified aquatic animal as per R58-17-15(D). In addition, t[T]he agency having responsibility pursuant to R58-17-15(A)(1) and (2) will discuss the disease history of the facility with the producer, and then [may ]contact acceptable[local] fish health professionals to identify [any]other existing or potential disease problems.

(7) Under no circumstances shall health approval be granted to a facility [using emergency prohibited or prohibited]if any lots test positive for pathogens listed in R58-17-15(D)(2) or (3) or if any of the same pathogens [contaminated water as a source]contaminate the facility's production waters or water source.

(C) Approval Procedures:

(1) Applicable to all[warm and cold water] aquatic animals.

(a) To receive initial [fish ]health approval, inspection reports or other evidence of the disease status of an aquaculture facility or public aquaculture facility must be submitted to the appropriate agency (see R58-17-15(A)(1) and (2)). [For warm water aquatic animal approval, the "Application for Warm Water Species Fish Health Approval " form must be submitted for initial approval and for renewal pursuant to R58-17-15(B)(6).]Applicants seeking initial approval and annual renewal for non-salmonid aquatic animals shall complete and submit forms provided by the Department or Division. Initial approval also requires the applicant to include information on origins of the aquatic animals at the facility, available disease histories by means of a facility disease history report and a five year disease history report, and [their]fish transfer histories. The same application materials shall be required annually for renewal of [fish ]health approval for activities occurring between applications.

(b) Inspections are conducted pursuant to [UCA amendment]Utah Code Section 4-37-502 and this section rule to detect the presence of any prohibited pathogens listed under R58-17-15(D)(2) and (3). Overt disease need not be evident to disqualify a facility. To qualify for initial and renewal of [aquatic animal ]health approval, evidence must be available verifying that [any] prohibited pathogens listed under R58-17-15(D)(2) and (3) are not present.

(c) Once [the ]requirements for [initial]health approval [or renewal of approval ]have been met, the facility shall be added to the [fish ]health approval list of the responsible agency and assigned a [fish] health approval number for the current year. [Fish h]Health approval of each facility shall be reviewed annually for continuance on the lists maintained by the Department and the Division pursuant to R58-17-15(A)(1).

(d) The Department will report [the]all confirmed results of [annual inspections conducted at aquaculture facilities, fee fishing facilities, and out-of-state] pathogens pursuant to R58-17-15(D) for sources under its jurisdiction at each meeting of the [Fish Health Policy] Board.

(e) Public aquaculture facilities and wild brood stocks are included on the [fish ]health approval list maintained by the Division. The Division will report [the]all confirmed results of [annual health inspections conducted at public aquaculture facilities, private ponds and wild populations of aquatic animals]pathogens pursuant to R58-17-15(D) for sources under its jurisdiction at each meeting of the [Fish Health Policy ]Board.

(f) If all aquatic animals are removed from an approved facility for a period of three months or more, or if [fish ]health approval is canceled or denied, then subsequent [fish ]health approval [will ]may be granted only after the facility owner has [completed the process]satisfactorily reapplied [for initial approval as outlined under ]pursuant to R58-17-15(C).

(2) Applicable to [cold water]salmonid aquatic animals:

(a) For initial approval of new facilities, two inspections of the same lot, at least four months apart and negative for any prohibited pathogen listed in [pursuant to] R58-17-15(D)(2) and (3), are required. The aquatic animals must have been [on]at the facility at least six months prior to the first inspection. During the inspections, the aquatic animals shall be reared for appropriate periods in waters from one source, and lots from all source waters at a facility shall be inspected.

(b) For initial approval of existing facilities, health inspection reports for a minimum of the previous two years, and facility disease history reports for up to the previous five years and five-year disease histories for all stocks [imported]transferred to the facility are required.

(c) All lots of aquatic animals [on]at the facility as well as any outside sources of these aquatic animals must be inspected for initial approval and for renewals pursuant to R58-17-15(B)(4).

(d) After initial approval, annual inspections shall be [required]conducted to renew [fish ]health approval. A two-month grace period is granted at the completion of the annual inspection for laboratory testing of samples and reporting of test results. This is to allow the facility to conduct business while awaiting test results. Health inspection reports, the facility disease history for at least the previous year, and disease histories for at least the previous year for all stocks imported to the facility shall be required before each renewal.

(3) Applicable to non-salmonid aquatic animals:

(a) For approval of facilities, one inspection of aquatic animals to be approved from the pond, reservoir, or holding facility and negative testing of an appropriate attribute sample for any applicable prohibited pathogen pursuant to R58-17-15(D)(2) and (3)is required. A composite sample of 60 fish of the same lot from all ponds in the shipment from the same water source may be accepted in lieu of a full attribute sample.

(b) In addition, a written report is required from an acceptable fish health professional stating that no clinical signs of any infectious fish disease are ongoing and that certain pathogens are not infecting the species to be imported at the time of importation.

(D) Prohibited and reportable pathogen list:

(1) Pathogens requiring [some form of action]control are classified as [either] emergency prohibited, prohibited, or reportable. Those pathogens denoted by an asterisk (*) preceding the name will only be tested for if the [fish]aquatic animals or eggs originate from an area where the pathogen is found. Pathogens denoted by a double asterisk (**) after the name can only be transmitted in fish and not in the eggs, therefore permitting the special provisions for egg only sources provided in [Sections ]R58-17-2[(8)](A)(10) and R58-17-15(B)(5). Excluding Artemia cysts, aquatic shrimp and prawns are not marketed as eggs, thus exempting shrimp and prawns from the egg-only provisions. However, the egg-only provision may be applied should shrimp or prawns be marketed as eggs and the Department or Division determines a vertically transmissible, emergency prohibited pathogen is present. Pathogens of aquatic shrimp and prawns are denoted with a triple asterisk (***) after the name. Pathogens that are inspected using the most current OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals are denoted with the pound sign (#) after the name.

(2) Emergency prohibited pathogens.

(a) Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV).

(b) Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV).

(c) Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV).

(d) *Oncorhynchus masou virus (OMV).

(e) Spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV).

(f) *Epizootic hematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV)#.

(g) White spot syndrome virus (WSSV)***#.

(h) Yellow head virus (YHV)***#.

(i) Taura syndrome virus (TSV)***#.

(j) Infectious hypodermal & hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV)***#.

(3) Prohibited pathogens.

(a) Myxobolus cerebralis ([pathogen that causes ]whirling disease)**.

(b) Renibacterium salmoninarum ([pathogen that causes] bacterial kidney disease (BKD)).

(c) *Ceratomyxa shasta ([pathogen that causes the disease] ceratomyxosis disease)**.

(d) Bothriocephalus (Asian tapeworm [and cause of the] disease bothriocephalosis)[.]**.

(e) *Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae or PKX ([pathogen that causes ]proliferative kidney disease (PKD))**.

(4) Reportable pathogens.

(a) Yersinia ruckeri ([pathogen that causes ]enteric redmouth disease)**.

(b) Aeromonas salmonicida ([pathogen that causes] furunculosis disease)**.

(c) Centrocestus formosanus.

([c]d) Emerging fish pathogens (including any filterable agent or agent of clinical significance as determined by the [Fish Health Policy ]Board).

(5) The [Fish Health Policy Board ]Procedures for the Timely Reporting of Pathogens shall be followed if any emergency prohibited, prohibited, or reportable pathogen is found. Inspection for reportable pathogens is optional, but positive findings of these pathogens must be reported to the [Fish Health Policy ]Board. Reporting of unregulated pathogens to the [Fish Health Policy ]Board is not required.

(6) The [Fish Health Policy Board ]Emergency Response Procedures shall be activated any time a confirmed finding or unconfirmed evidence of an emergency prohibited or prohibited pathogen is reported.

R58-17-16. Inspection of Records and Facilities.

(A) The following records [must]shall be maintained for a period of up to five years and be available for inspection during reasonable hours by the appropriate agency [representative ]pursuant to R58-17-4.

(1) [Records of purchases]Purchase, acquisition, distribution, and production histories of live aquatic animals.

(2) CORs and entry permits.

(3) Valid identification of stocks, including origin of stocks.

(B) The appropriate agency representatives pursuant to R58-17-4 may conduct pathological or physical investigations at any registered facility, [pursuant to R58-17-4 ]including fish being transported in vehicles, during reasonable hours if there is cause to believe that a disease condition exists. Any laboratory testing [that is necessary ]as a result of this investigation will [not ]be at the owner's expense if evidence indicates that R58-17 has been violated pursuant to the investication.

R58-17-17. Aquaculture Facilities, Fish Processing Plants, Brokers.

(A) COR required:

A COR is required to operate an aquaculture facility or a fish processing plant and to act as a broker. A separate COR and fee are required for each [individual ]facility [as ]defined under "aquaculture facility", Section 4-37-103(2), regardless of ownership.

(B) Live aquatic animals may be sold or transferred:

The operator of an aquaculture facility with [aquatic animal ]health approval may take the aquatic animals as [approved]authorized on the COR from the facility at any time and offer them for sale. Within Utah, live aquatic animals can only be sold to other facilities which have a valid COR for that species. Fish Processing plants dealing with salmonids shall neither hold nor sell live salmonids[ pursuant to R58-17-2(A)(16)].

(C) Fee-fishing facility and/or fish processing plant allowed:

The operator of an aquaculture facility may also operate a fee-fishing facility [under the terms applicable to fee-fishing facilities in Section]pursuant to R58-17-18 and/or a fish processing plant pursuant to R58-17-17 and R58-17-13(G) and (H), provided the fee-fishing facility or the fish processing plant is [located at the site and ]within one half mile distance from the aquaculture facility, contains only those species authorized on the COR for the aquaculture facility, and this activity is listed on the COR for the aquaculture facility.

(D) Receipts required:

Any in-state sale, shipment or transfer of live [fish]aquatic animals from an aquaculture facility must be accompanied by a receipt[ with documentation of the source and destination]. A receipt book will be provided by the Department upon request. Copies of all receipts will be submitted to the Department [and will serve as]with the annual report[ of sales]. The receipt [book is to be used for in-state sales or transfers, and ]will contain[ the following information]:

(1) Names, addresses, phone numbers, COR numbers, COR expiration dates, fish health approval numbers and expiration dates of sources.

(2) Number and weight being shipped, by species.

(3) Names, addresses and phone numbers of destinations.

(4) COR numbers and COR expiration dates for destinations [(for in-state transfers only)].

(5) Dates of transactions.

(6) Signature of seller.

(E) Annual reports required:

Aquaculture facility owners, fish processing plant owners, and brokers shall submit [A]annual reports of all sales, transfers, and purchases [must be submitted] to the Department [as part of]at the time of the COR renewal[ process], pursuant to [Subsection] R58-17-8(B)(2). [A r]Report forms [for all purchases or transfers into a facility ]will be provided by the Department.

(1) [For all purchases, this]The report will contain[ the following information]:

(a) Names, addresses, phone numbers, COR numbers and [fish ]health approval numbers of sources.

(b) Number, size and weight by species.

(c) Names, addresses, phone numbers, COR numbers of the destinations.

(d) Dates of transactions.

(2) [For all sales or transfers, c]Copies of [the] receipts [book transactions] pursuant to R58-17-17(D), [will]shall be submitted as part of the annual report to the Department.

(3) [The records and r]Reports [must]shall be submitted to the Department by December 31 each year and must be received before a COR will be renewed. If the report, application, receipts and fee are not received by December 31 pursuant to R58-17-8(B), the COR will no longer be valid and regulatory action may be initiated pursuant to R58-17-8(B)(3). For sales made after submittal of the annual report and before January 1, the facility owner shall submit an addendum report that is due by January 31.

(4) The report made by operators of fish processing plants shall also contain [source names, addresses, phone numbers, species names, and live or dead state for] all purchases and transfers to and from the facility[. The report] and shall address proper methods of disposal with dates and locations pursuant to R58-17-13(G) and (H).[ Brine shrimp processing plants shall prepare an annual report with the above information for non-Great Salt Lake brine shrimp or other aquatic invertebrates imported into Utah.]

(F) Fees assessed:

[A COR for an aquaculture facility shall be assessed a fee of $150.00 during application and annually for renewal,]The initial and annual renewal COR fee for aquaculture facilities, brokers, and fish processing plants is $150.00, pursuant to Section 4-37-301.[ Only fish processing plants that work with fin fish are assessed this fee. The deadline for COR renewal is December 31. If the COR renewal application is not received by February 28, the COR will be no longer valid and regulatory action shall be initiated pursuant to R58-17-8(B)(3).]

(G) The COR holder shall keep a copy of CORs, reports, and records on file for two years pursuant to 4-37-110.

R58-17-18. Fee-Fishing Facilities.

(A) COR required:

A COR is required to operate a fee-fishing facility. A separate COR is necessary for separate fee-fishing facilities as defined under "aquaculture facility", Section 4-37-103(2), regardless of ownership.

(B) Live sales or transfers prohibited:

The operator of a fee-fishing facility may not sell, donate, or otherwise transfer live aquatic animals, except [that]when the approved species may be transferred into the same facility from an approved source.

(C) Fishing licenses not required:

A fishing license is not required to take aquatic animals [from]at a fee-fishing facility.

(D) Receipts required:

To transport dead aquatic animals [away ]from a fee-fishing facility, the [operator must]customer (owner associations and catch and release operations are exempt) shall receive from the operator a receipt which includes:[ provide a receipt to the customer which contains the following information:]

(1) Name, address, COR number, COR expiration date and phone number of [fee-fishing]the facility.

(2) Date caught.

(3) Species and number of fish.

(E) Annual report required:

The operator of a fee-fishing facility [must]shall submit to the Department an annual report of all live aquatic animals purchased or acquired during the year. A report form [for all purchases or transfers into a facility ]will be provided by the Department. This report must contain[ the following information]:

(1) Names, addresses, phone numbers, [fish ]health approval numbers, [of all sources and/or ]COR numbers and COR expiration dates of all sources.

(2) Number, size and weight by species.

(3) Dates of [sales or transfers]purchase and acquisition of aquatic animals.[

(4) Names, addresses, phone numbers, COR numbers and COR expiration dates of the destinations.]

(F) Fees assessed and annual report deadline:

[A fee of](1) The initial and annual renewal fee for a fee fishing COR is $30.00, [shall be required with the application for the fee-fishing COR. This fee shall be required annually with the reports for COR renewal,] pursuant to 4-37-301.[ The deadline for COR renewal is December 31. If the COR renewal application is not received by February 28,]

(2) Holders of CORs, who renew applications including report, receipts, and fee after December 31 pursuant to R58-17-17(E)(3), shall be assessed a $25.00 late fee. If the application, report, receipts and fee are not received by December 31 pursuant to R58-17-8(B)(1), the COR will be no longer valid and regulatory action [shall]may be initiated pursuant to R58-17-8(B)(3).

(G) The COR holder shall keep a copy of CORs, reports, logs, and records on file for two years pursuant to 4-37-110.

R58-17-19. Public Aquaculture, Private Fish Ponds, Institutional Aquaculture Facilities, Short Term Fishing Events, Private Stocking and Displays.

Details on the COR and regulatory requirements pursuant to R58-17-4(2) for operating public aquaculture, private fish ponds, institutional aquaculture facilities, short term fishing events, private stocking and displays are found in the code for Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources, at Rule R657-16 of the Utah Administrative Code.

R58-17-20. Classification of Pathogens.

I. Emergency prohibited pathogens are pathogens that cause high morbidity and high mortality, are exotic to Utah, and require immediate action. These pathogens generally can not be treated and shall be controlled through avoidance, eradication, and disinfection.

TABLE

[Classification Criteria Control Methods Included
Pathogens
(and
diseases
they
cause)

Emergency High morbidity Cannot be treated IHNV

High mortality Avoidance, IPNV
eradication and
Exotic to Utah disinfection VHSV

Immediate action OMV
required

Prohibited Can cause high Very difficult Myxobolus
morbidity or or impossible to cerebralis
high mortality treat (whirling
disease)

May be endemic Avoidance, Renibacterium
to Utah eradication and salmoninarum
disinfection (BKD)

Action required Ceratomyxa
in reasonable shasta
time frame PKX organism
(PKD)

Bothrio-
cephalus
acheilognathi
(Asian
tapeworm)

Reportable Management Possible to Yersinia
diseases prevent or ruckeri
treat (Enteric
redmouth)

Not prohibited
in Utah

Prohibited in Aeromonas
some other states Salmonicida
or countries (furun-
culosis)

Economic Emerging fish
importance Pathogens
(including
but not
limited to
Inspection is any
optional filterable
agent or
Positive findings agent of
must be reported clinical
to the Fish Health significance
Policy Board as determined
by the Fish
Health Policy
Board)

Unregulated Not regulated in
Utah

Includes all pathogens
not listed above

Reporting to the Fish
Health Policy Board
not required]
Pathogen Classification Species Inspection
Requirement/Comment

Infectious Emergency Salmonids
Hematopoietic Prohibited
Necrosis Virus
(IHNV)

Infectious Emergency All May be isolated
Pancreatic Prohibited susceptible from many species
Necrosis Virus hosts of aquatic organisms
(IPNV)/Aquatic
Birnaviruses

Viral Hemorrhagic Emergency Salmonids,
Septicemia Virus Prohibited pike, herring
(VHSV) turbot,
pilchard, etc.

Oncorhynchus Emergency Salmonids
Masou Virus Prohibited
(OMV)

Spring Viremia Emergency All Required use
Of Carp Virus Prohibited cyprinids of Bluebook
(SVCV) esocids designated,
Shrimp cell lines;
inspection
requirement shall
be applied as
needed to koi and
ornamental fish

Epizootic Emergency Salmonids, Required only for
Hematopoietic Prohibited percids, fish from endemic
Necrosis Virus ictalurids, areas; use OIE
(EHNV) silurids, Manual for test
Gambusia, protocol
etc.

White Spot Emergency Freshwater Protocol for
Syndrome Virus Prohibited or marine testing in OIE
(WSSV) shrimp Manual

Yellow Head Virus Emergency Freshwater Protocol for
(YHV) Prohibited or marine testing in OIE
shrimp Manual

Taura Syndrome Emergency Freshwater Protocol for
Virus (TSV) Prohibited or marine testing in OIE
Shrimp Manual

Infectious Emergency Freshwater Protocol for
Hypodermal and Prohibited or marine testing in OIE
Hematopoietic shrimp Manual
Necrosis Virus
(IHHNV)

II. Prohibited pathogens are pathogens that can cause high
morbidity or high mortality, may be endemic to Utah, and
require action in a reasonable time. Prohibited pathogens are
generally very difficult or impossible to treat and can only
be controlled through avoidance, eradication, and
disinfection, etc.

Myxobolus Prohibited Salmonids Focus on more
cerebralis susceptible species
(Whirling Disease) as per Bluebook

Renibacterium Prohibited Salmonids Required for
salmoninarum salmonid species
(Bacterial with more frequently
Kidney Disease, reported clinical
BKD) disease, such as
Pacific salmon,
brook trout, lake
trout, Atlantic
salmon, grayling,
etc.

Ceratomyxa shasta Prohibited Salmonids Inspect fish only
from reported
endemic areas

Bothriocephalus Prohibited All Mosquito fish
acheilognathi cyprinids, (Gambusia affinis)
(Asian tapeworm) one Poecilid is the poecilid
regulated under
this section

Tetracapsuloides Prohibited Salmonids Inspect fish only
bryosalmonae from reported
(proliferative endemic areas
kidney disease,
PKD)

III. Reportable pathogens are pathogens that are generally
prevented using good management practices. Reportable pathogens
are not prohibited in Utah, but may be prohibited in some other
states or countries (see R58-17-20). Inspections are not
required for reportable pathogens, but all positive findings
must be reported to the Board.

Yersinia ruckeri Reportable No inspection
(enteric redmouth requirement in Utah
disease)

Aeromonas Reportable No inspection
salmonicida requirement in Utah
(furunculosis)

Centrocestus Reportable Not applicable.
formosanus Usually diagnosed
by the presence of
metacercarial cysts
in gills via light
microscopy: no
inspection protocols
available

KEY: aquaculture

[April 17, 2001]2005

Notice of Continuation February 3, 2005

4-2-2

4-37

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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For questions regarding the content or application of this rule, please contact Marolyn Leetham, Kent Hauck, or Mike Marshall at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7114, 801-538-7025, or 801-538-7160, by FAX at 801-538-7126, 801-538-7169, or 801-538-7169, or by Internet E-mail at mleetham@utah.gov, khauck@utah.gov, or mmarshall@utah.gov

For questions about the rulemaking process, please contact the Division of Administrative Rules (801-538-3764). Please Note: The Division of Administrative Rules is NOT able to answer questions about the content or application of these administrative rules.