Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

Rule R657-16

Aquaculture and Fish Stocking

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 36394
Filed: 06/19/2012 06:07:54 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is being amended pursuant to Regional Advisory Council and Wildlife Board meetings conducted for taking public input and reviewing the division's program by which live aquatic wildlife may be possessed or transported.

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendment to this rule removes the definition of "ornamental fish" and replaces it with the definition of "ornamental aquatic animal species".

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 23-15-10
• Section 23-15-9

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

This amendment only clarifies a definition. The Division of Wildlife (DWR) has determined that this amendment does not create a cost or savings impact to the division's budget or the state budget.

local governments:

None--This filing does not create any direct cost or savings impact to local governments because they are not directly affected by the amendment. Nor are local governments indirectly impacted because the amendment does not create a situation requiring services from local governments.

small businesses:

This amendment only clarifies a definition. The division determines that the amendment does not impose any additional requirements on other persons, nor generate a cost or savings impact to small businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

This amendment only clarifies a definition. The division determines that the amendment does not impose any additional requirements on other persons, nor generate a cost or savings impact to other persons.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

This amendment clarifies the definition of "ornamental aquatic animal species". There are not any additional compliance costs associated with this amendment.

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

The amendments to this rule do not create an impact on businesses.

Michael R. Styler, Executive Director

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

Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources
1594 W NORTH TEMPLE
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116-3154

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Staci Coons at the above address, by phone at 801-538-4718, by FAX at 801-538-4709, or by Internet E-mail at stacicoons@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:

08/14/2012

This rule may become effective on:

08/21/2012

Authorized by:

James Karpowitz, Director

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.

R657-16. Aquaculture and Fish Stocking.

R657-16-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) Under the authority of Sections 23-15-9 and 23-15-10 of the Utah Code, this rule provides the standards and procedures for:

(a) institutional aquaculture;

(b) short-term fishing events;

(c) private fish stocking; and

(d) displaying aquaculture products or aquatic wildlife in aquaria.

(2) This rule does not cover private fish ponds as provided in R657-59, or fee fishing and commercial aquaculture as provided in Title 4, Chapter 37, Parts 2 and 3; and the Department of Agriculture Rule R58-17.

(3) A person engaging in any activity provided in Subsection (1) must also comply with the provisions set forth in Rule R657-3 and the Department of Agriculture Rule R58-17.

(4) Any violation of, or failure to comply with, any provision of this rule or any specific requirement contained in a certificate of registration issued pursuant to this rule may be grounds for revocation or suspension of the certificate of registration or denial of future certificates of registration, as determined by a division hearing officer.

 

R657-16-2. Definitions.

(1) Terms used in this rule are defined in Section 23-13-2.

(2) In addition:

(a) "Aquaculture" means the husbandry, production, harvest, and use of aquatic organisms under controlled, artificial conditions.

(b) "Aquaculture facility" means any facility used for propagating, rearing, or producing aquatic wildlife or aquaculture products. Facilities that are separated by more than 1/2 mile, or facilities that drain to, or are modified to drain to, different drainages are considered to be separate aquaculture facilities, regardless of ownership.

(c)(i) "Aquaculture product" means privately purchased aquatic wildlife or their gametes.

(ii) "Aquaculture product" does not include aquatic wildlife obtained from the wild.

(d) "Aquarium" means any container located in an indoor facility that is used to hold fish from which no water is discharged, except during periodic cleaning, and which discharged water is passed through a filtering system capable of removing all fish and fish eggs and is disposed of only in a septic tank approved by the county or in a municipal wastewater treatment system approved by either the state or local health department.

(e) "Display" means to hold live aquaculture products or aquatic wildlife in an aquarium for the purpose of viewing for commercial or noncommercial purposes.

(f) "FEMA" means Federal Emergency Management Administration.

(g) "Institutional aquaculture" means aquaculture engaged in by any institution of higher learning, school, or other educational program, or public agency.

(h) ["](a)"Ornamental [fish"]aquatic animal species" means any species of fish[ that are raised or held for their beauty rather than use, or that arouse interest for their uncommon or exotic characteristics, including tropical fish, goldfish, and koi, but not including those], molluck, or crustacean that is commonly cultured and sold in the United States' aquarium industry for display.

(b) "Ornamental aquatic animal species" does not include:

(i) fresh water:

(A) sport fish - aquatic animal species commonly angled or harvested for recreation or sport;

(B) baitfish - aquatic animal species authorized for us as bait in R657-13-12, and any other species commonly used by anglers as bait in sport fishing;

(C) food fish - aquatic animal species commonly cultured or harvested from the wild for human consumption; or

(D) native species; or

(ii) aquatic animal species prohibited for importation or possession by any state, federal, or local law; or

(iii) aquatic animal species listed as prohibited or controlled in [Rule]Sections R657-3-[34.]22 and R657-3-23 . (i) "Private fish pond" means a pond, reservoir, or other body of water, or any fish culture system which is contained on privately owned land and used for holding or rearing fish for a private, noncommercial purpose.

(j) "Private stocking" means noncommercial stocking of live aquaculture products in waters of the state not eligible as a private fish pond under R657-59 or other private fish facility.

(k) "Purchase" means to buy, or otherwise acquire or obtain through barter, exchange, or trade for pecuniary consideration or advantage.

(l) "Short-term fishing event" means any event where privately acquired fish are held or confined for a period not to exceed seven days for the purpose of providing fishing or recreational opportunity and where no fee is charged as a requirement to fish.

 

KEY: wildlife, aquaculture, fish

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [August 21, 2008]2012

Notice of Continuation: October 9, 2007

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23-15-9; 23-15-10