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NOTICE OF INTENT  

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Wildlife and Fisheries Commission 

 DomesticatedAquaticOrganisms

(LAC76:VII.Chapter9)

UndertheauthorityofR.S.56:411,etseq.,andinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthe

AdministrativeProcedureAct,La.R.S.49:950,etseq.,theWildlifeandFisheriesCommission

herebyadvertisesitsintenttomodifyrulesandregulationsrelatedtoAquacultureand

DomesticatedAquaticOrganisms.Theproposedchangesreorganizetheexistingchaptertobe

moreconciseandaccuratelyreflectthecurrentorganizationintheLouisianaDepartmentof

WildlifeandFisheries.TheproposedchangesaddfourgroupstotheapprovedDomesticated

AquaticOrganismlistandremovesomethatarenolongerunderLDWFjurisdiction.Legally

permittedaquaculturefacilitieswillbeabletoproducerainbowtrout,freshwaterprawnsand

aquariumlivestockspeciesincludingfancyguppies,speciesofbristlenosecatfishandspeciesof

Africanriftlakecichlids.Thiswillallowthedevelopmentofadditionalaquaculturebusinessin

Louisianawhileprovidingsafeguardstoassistinprotectingnativefishspecies.

TheSecretaryoftheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheriesisauthorizedtotakeanyand

allnecessarystepsonbehalfoftheCommissiontopromulgateandeffectuatethisnoticeof

intentandfinalrule,includingbutnotlimitedto,thefilingofthefiscalandeconomicimpact

statement,thefilingofthenoticeofintentandfinalruleandthepreparationofreportsand

correspondencetootheragenciesofgovernment.

Title 76 

WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES 

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Part VII. Fish and Other Aquatic life 

Chapter 9. Aquaculture  

§900. Domesticated Aquatic Organisms (DAO) 

A. Definitions

Aquarium Livestock―allanimalsthatareprimarilyraisedforornamentalusein

aquariums.ThelistofapprovedaquariumlivestockspeciescanbefoundinLAC76:VII.915.A

    Aquarium Livestock Permit―theofficialdocumentrequiredforthecultureof

freshwaterprawns,andallowsfortheimportation,exportation,transport,culture,possession,

disposal,transferandsaleoffreshwaterprawnsinLouisianaasapprovedbythesecretaryor

designee.

    Broodstock―reproductivelymatureadultsheldforspecificpurposeofproviding

offspring(gametes,larvae,setspat,orlaterlifehistorystages).

    Culture ―allactivitiesassociatedwiththerearingandnurturingofapproved

DAOspeciesandlifestages.

    Culture System ―anapprovedsystemdesignedsuchthatallwatercontaining,or

thatatanytimemightcontain,DAOspeciesandlifestages,isfiltered,screenedand/or

sterilizedinsuchamannerasthedepartmentdeemsadequatetopreventanypossibilityof

escapefromthesystem.  

    Domesticated Aquatic Organisms (DAO) ― allaquaculturallyraisedspecieswhich

includesfreshwatergamefish,allspeciesofsaltwaterfish,allendangeredorthreatenedspecies

aswellasallnonnativefishasdefinedbyR.S.56:8andR.S.56:411.   

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    Department ―theLouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries(LDWF)oran

authorizedemployeeofthedepartment.

    Disposal―processing,selling,orpurposelyremovingDAOspeciesfromthe

culturesystemusingdepartmentalapprovedtechniquesforeachDAOspecies.

Fisheries Permit Manager ―Biologistorotherstaffassignedthedutiesto

manageandissuefisheriesrelatedpermits.

Freshwater Prawn ―anylifestagesoftheshrimpofthespecies Marcobrachium 

rosenbergii.   

Freshwater Prawn Permit ―theofficialdocumentrequiredforthecultureof

freshwaterprawns,andallowsfortheimportation,exportation,transport,culture,possession,

disposal,transferandsaleoffreshwaterprawnsinLouisianaasapprovedbythesecretaryor

designee.

    Live Holding System ―anapprovedindoortemporaryholdingordisplaysystem

thatatanytimemaycontainDAOspecies(adultfish,juvenilefish,fryorfisheggs)designed

suchthatallwaterisfiltered,screenedand/orsterilizedpriortoreleaseinsuchmannerasthe

departmentdeemsadequatetopreventanypossibilityofescape.

    Permittee —individualthatpossessesanytypeofvalidLouisianapermitunder

thisChapter.Apermitteecanonlybeanaturalperson.Apermitteemayrepresenthimself,a

business,corporationororganization.Thepermitteeisresponsibleforcompliancewithall

stipulationsinthepermit.  

    Rainbow Trout ―adultfish,juvenilefish,fingerlings,fryandeggsbelongingto

thespeciesOncorhynchus mykiss.

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    Rainbow TroutPermit ―theofficialdocumentrequiredfortheculture,

importation,exportation,transport,culture,possession,disposal,transferandsaleofRainbow

TroutinLouisiana,asapprovedbythesecretaryordesignee.

    Secretary ―theSecretaryoftheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries.

    Shovelnose Sturgeon ―purestrainofgeneticallyunalteredfish(adultfish,

juvenilefish,fingerlings,fry,andeggs),belongingtothespeciesScaphirhynchus platorynchus.

    Shovelnose SturgeonPermit ―theofficialdocumentrequiredfortheculture,

importation,exportation,transport,culture,possession,disposal,transfer,andsaleof

shovelnosesturgeoninLouisiana,asapprovedbythesecretaryordesignee.

    Species Certification ―positivespecies,hybrid,sub‐speciesand/orvariationtype

identificationusingofdepartmentapprovedprocedures.

    Tilapia ―adultfish,juvenilefish,fingerlings,fryandeggsorbodyparts

belongingtothegeneraTilapia, Sarotherdon,orOreochromisandtheirhybrids.

    TilapiaCulture Permit ―theofficialdocumentrequiredfortheimportation,

exportation,transport,culture,possession,disposal,transferandsaleoftilapiainLouisiana,as

approvedbythesecretaryordesignee.

    Tilapia Live Holding Permit ―theofficialdocumentrequiredfortheliveholding

oftilapiaforretailsaleandallowsfortheimport,liveholding,andsaleoftilapiainLouisiana,as

approvedbythesecretaryordesignee.

    Triploid Grass Carp (TGC) —referstoCtenopharyngodon idellafingerlingsand

largerindividualsthatarecertifiedastriploidcarp(3Nchromosomes)bytheU.S.Fishand

WildlifeServiceoraqualifiedagentorcontractorapprovedbythedepartment.

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    Triploid Grass Carp Possession and Transportation Permit —theofficial

documentrequiredfortheimportation,transportation,andpossessionoflivetriploidgrasscarp

(TGC)inLouisianaforuseinprivatelyownedwaterbodies,asapprovedbythesecretaryor

designee.

    Triploid Grass Carp Sales Permit —theofficialdocumentrequiredforthe

importation,transportation,possession,andsaleoflivetriploidgrasscarp(TGC)inLouisiana,as

approvedbythesecretaryordesignee. 

    Triploid Grass Carp Seller —aproperlylicensedfishfarmerwhopossessesa

triploidgrasscarp(TGC)SalesPermit.

B. ProceduresfornominatinganewspeciestotheapprovedlistofDAO

1. Anapplicationtoconsideranewaquaticspeciesshallbesubmittedin

writingtotheLouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,FisheriesPermitManagerby

emailingfisheriespermits@wlf.la.govorbymail:

LouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries

FisheriesPermitManager

P.O.Box98000

BatonRouge,LA70898‐9000

2. Theapplicationshallincludethefollowinginformation:

a. AmericanFisheriesSocietyapprovedspeciesandcommon

name(s);

b. intendeduseoruses;

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c. biology,includingenvironmentaltolerances,diseases,lifehistory,

andassociatedreferences;

d. potentialsourcesofbroodstock;

e. proposedrestrictionsforthecultureoftheproposedspecies.

3. Within30daysofreceiptofthecompletedapplication,theFisheries

PermitManagershallconveneatechnicalcommitteetoreviewthespecies.Thetechnical

committeewillconsistofaminimumoffourmembers.Thosemembersmustconsistofat

leastoneDepartmentBiologistfromtheappropriateFisheriesDivision,anEnforcement

Divisionrepresentativeaswellasatleastonecommitteemembernotemployedby

departmentwhichmaybe,butnotlimitedto,arepresentativefromacademiaorafederal

agencyrepresentative.ThedepartmentmaynominateaDAOspeciesoramendthelistby

conveningareviewpaneltoreviewspeciesofinterest.

4. Thetechnicalcommittee,bywayoftheFisheriesPermitManager,may

asktheapplicanttoprovideadditionalinformation.

5. Thetechnicalcommitteewillberesponsibleforevaluatingallrelevant

informationregardingthespecies.Thecommitteewillconsiderapprovinganewaquatic

speciesbyevaluatingthepotentialnegativerisksthenewspeciesmightposeonnativespecies,

habitat,andhumanhealth.Thecommitteewillalsoconsidermitigationmeasuresthatreduce

risk.Thecommittee’sfindingswillbesummarizedbytheFisheriesPermitManageranda

recommendationmadetotheAssistantSecretary,OfficeofFisheriestoeitherdenythe

applicant'srequestorapprovetherequestwithorwithoutmitigatingrequirements.

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6. Theassistantsecretaryshalldeterminewhethertorecommendtothe

secretarytoapprovetheapplicationfortheadditionoftheproposedspeciestotheDAOlist,

alongwithanyrestrictionsormitigatingrequirements.Ifapprovedbythesecretary,aformal

requestwillbemadetotheWildlifeandFisheriesCommissionintheformofaNoticeofIntent.

C. ExceptforthespeciesoffishspecificallyprohibitedinLa.R.S.56:319.A,the

provisionsofthisSectionshallnotapplytoactivitiesconsistentwithnoncommercialpersonal

aquariumownershipandcommercialretailfacilitiesthatdonotbreedorpropagatefish.

D. Thefollowingspeciesareapprovedforcommercialsaleandtransportfor

aquacultureormariculture:

1. shadowbass(Ambloplites ariommus)notexceedingamaximumtotal

lengthof6inches;

2. whitebass(Morone chrysops)notexceedingamaximumtotallengthof6

inches;

3. yellowbass(Morone mississippiensis)notexceedingamaximumtotal

lengthof6inches;

4. crappie(Pomoxis spp.)notexceedingamaximumtotallengthof6inches;

5. bream(Lepomis spp.)notexceedingamaximumtotallengthof6inches;

6. spottedbass(Micropterus punctulatus)ofanysize;

7. stripedbass(Morone saxatilis)ofanysize;

8. largemouthbass(Micropterus salmoides)ofanysize;

9. hybridstripedbass(Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops)or(Morone 

saxatilis x Morone mississippiensis)ofanysize;

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10. coppernosebluegill(Lepomis macrochirus purpurescens)notexceedinga

maximumtotallengthof6inches;

11. hybridbreamlimitedtoabluegill(Lepomis macrochirus)andgreen

sunfish(L. cyanellus)crossoraredearsunfish(L. microlophus)andbluegill(L. macrochirus)

crossnotexceedingamaximumtotallengthof6inches;

12. commoncarp(Cyprinus carpio) andkoi (Cyprinus rubrofuscus)and

goldfish(Carassius auratus)

13. reddrum(Sciaenops ocellatus);

14. triploidgrasscarp(Ctenopharyngodon idella);LAC76:VII.901;

15. tilapia(Oreochromis aurea, O. niloticus, O. mossambicus and O. urolepis 

hornorum);LAC76:VII.903

16. shovelnosesturgeon(Scaphirhychus platorynchus);LAC76:VII.911

17. rainbowtrout(Oncorhynchus mykiss);LAC76:VII.913

18. aquariumlivestock:AlistofapprovedspeciescanbefoundinLAC

76:VII.915

19. cocohoeminnows(Fundulus grandis);

20. freshwaterprawn (Marcobrachium rosenbergii);LAC76:VII.919

§901.  Triploid Grass Carp (TGC) 

A. GeneralProvisions

1. Noperson,firm,orcorporationshallatanytimepossess,sellorcauseto

betransportedintothisstate,triploidgrasscarp(TGC)(Ctenopharyngodonidella 

Ctenopharyngodon idella),exceptinaccordancewithandincompliancewiththisSection.

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a. Thefollowingregulationsgoverntheimportation,transportation,

possession,disposalandsaleoflivetriploidgrasscarpforaquaticplantcontrolinprivateand

publicwaters,includingpondsonpublicgolfcourses,municipalwatertreatmentplants,parks

andzoos.Nothingcontainedhereinshallbeconstruedtorestrictorpreventthedepartment

fromconductingbona‐fideresearchstudiesandfishandaquaticplantmanagementprograms

asauthorizedbylaworregulation.

2. Definitions

      Department—theLouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheriesoran

authorizedemployeeofthedepartment.

      Permittee—individualthatpossessesavalidLouisianatriploidgrasscarp

permit.Apermitteecanonlybeanaturalperson.Apermitteemayrepresenthimself,a

business,corporationororganization.Thepermitteeisresponsibleforcompliancewithall

stipulationsinthepermit.

      Secretary—thesecretaryoftheLouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeand

Fisheries.

      Triploid Grass Carp—referstoCtenopharyngodonidellafingerlingsand

largerindividualsthatarecertifiedastriploidcarp(3Nchromosomes)bytheU.S.Fishand

WildlifeServiceoraqualifiedagentorcontractorapprovedbythedepartment.

      Triploid Grass Carp Possession and Transportation Permit—theofficial

documentthatidentifiesthetermsofandallowsfortheimportation,transportationand

possessionoflivetriploidgrasscarpinLouisianaforuseinprivatelyownedwaterbodies.

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      Triploid Grass Carp Sales Permit—theofficialdocumentthatallowsfor

theimportation,transportation,possessionandsaleoflivetriploidgrasscarpinLouisianaas

approvedbythesecretaryorhisdesignee.

      Triploid Grass Carp Seller—aproperlylicensedfishfarmerwhopossesses

atriploidgrasscarpsalespermit.

B. TriploidGrassCarp(TGC)PossessionandTransportPermit

1. GeneralRulesforTriploidGrassCarpTGCPossessionandTransportation

Permit

a. NopersonshallstockprivatewaterbodiesinthestateofLouisiana

withoutatriploidgrasscarpTGCPpossessionandTtransportPpermit.

b. Nopersonshallimport,transportand/orpurchasetriploidgrass

carpTGCtobebroughtintothestateofLouisianaunlesssuchfisharecertifiedastriploidgrass

carpTGCbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceoraqualifiedagentorcontractorapprovedbythe

department.

c. Nopersonshallimport,transportorpossessfingerlingslessthan

sixinchesintotallengthor,eggs,orfrywithinthestateofLouisiana.

d. Permitsarenottransferablefrompersontopersonorfromsite

locationtositelocation.

e. Permitteeshallprovideanadequatenumberoftriploidgrasscarp

TGCtothedepartment,atnocosttothedepartment,uponrequest,toverifyploidy.The

permitteeshallagreetoallowdepartmentofficialsoradepartmentapprovedcontractorto

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conductunannouncedrandominspectionsofthetransportvehicle,property,waterbodysite,

andfish.

f. Departmentofficialsmaybeaccompaniedbyotherpersons

duringtheseinspections.Thedepartmentoritsagentshavetherighttoremoveortakefish

samplesforanalysisand/orinspection.

g. Permitteeisresponsibleforcriminalpenaltiesorcivildamages

causedbyanyescapement.

h. Incasesofmortalityorunavoidableloss,restockingwillbe

permittedaslongaspermitisstillvalid.

i. IfapermitteeterminatestheuseoftriploidgrasscarpTGCinthe

permittedwaterbody,thepermitteeshallnotifythedepartmentimmediatelyanddisposeof

thetriploidgrasscarpTGCaccordingtomethodsapprovedbythedepartment.

j. Inadditionaltoallotherlegalremedies,failuretocomplywithany

oftheprovisionsinthisSectionshallbejustcausetoimmediatelysuspendand/orrevokethe

permittee’spermit.AlltriploidgrasscarpTGCshallbedestroyedatpermittee’sexpenseunder

thedepartment’ssupervisionwithin30daysofpermitrevocation.Violationofanyofthe

provisionsofthepermitconstitutesaClassFourviolationinaccordancewithR.S.56:319.E

k. AnypermitteechargedwithviolationofthisSectionmaymakea

writtenresponsetotheallegedviolation(s)tothesecretary,andmayrequestahearingto

reviewtheallegedviolation(s).

l. QualifiedUniversitiesandpublicentitiesconductingresearch

approvedbyorinconjunctionwiththedepartmentshallbeexemptfromfeecharges.

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2. RequestApplicationProcedureforatriploidgrasscarpTGCPossession

andTransportPermit

a. Individualswishingtoimportorpossesslivetriploidgrasscarp

TGCinLouisiana,butnotsellthem,mustapplyforaTGCtriploidgrasscarpPpossessionand

TtransportPpermitfromthedepartmentforafeeof$50.TGCPossessionandTransport

PermitteesdonotneedtopossessaDomesticatedAquaticOrganismLicense.

b. TheTGCPpossessionandTtransportPpermitshallbevalidforone

yearfromdateofpurchase.Thepermitteemustpurchaserequestanewpermitforsubsequent

purchasesifthepermithasexpired.

c. Permitteesmaystockuptotherecommended10fishperacreof

water.,andshallnotexceed500fishRequesttostockmorethan500fishmustbeapprovedby

thedepartmentthroughsitevisitationsbyadepartmentrepresentative.Fisheriesstaffofthe

LouisianaCooperativeExtensionServiceorotherqualifiedfisheriesprofessional(s)approvedby

thedepartmentmaybeusedasasubstitutionfordepartmentalsitevisit.

3. RequirementsfortransportingandstockingofTGCtriploidgrasscarpin

privatewaterbodies.

a. Permitteemushthaveinhisimmediatepossessionandavailable

upondemandbydepartmentrepresentatives,aTGCtriploidgrasscarpPpossessionand

TtransportationPpermitwhenimporting,transportingand/orpurchasinglivetriploidgrasscarp

TGCwithinthestateofLouisiana.

b. Abillofladingmustaccompanythoseindividualsinpossessionof

livetriploidgrasscarpTGCduringtransportationandshallinclude:

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i. sourceoftriploidgrasscarpTGC(hatchery);

ii. name,address,andphonenumberofseller;

iii. name,address,andphonenumberofbuyer;

iv. copyoftriploidcertification;

v. totalnumberoffish;

vi. destinationofshipment.

c. NopersonshallstockprivatewatersinthestateofLouisiana

withoutavalidTGCtriploidgrasscarpPpossessionandTtransportationPpermit.

d. PermitteeisresponsibleforcontainingtriploidgrasscarpTGCin

hisprivatewaterbody.Permitteeisalsoresponsibleforerectingbarrierstopreventtheescape

oftriploidgrasscarpintoadjoiningwaters

e. Thispermitdoesnotauthorizethepermitteetostocktriploid

grasscarpTGCinpublicwaterbodiesofthestate.Releaseofanyfishintothewatersofthestate

isstrictlyprohibited,exceptasprovidedinSubsectionDbelow.

C. triploidgrasscarpTGCSalesPermit

1. RequestProcedureforaTriploidGrassCarpTGCSalesPermit

a. IndividualswishingtoselllivetriploidgrasscarpTGCinthestate

ofLouisianamustfirstrequestobtainatriploidgrasscarpTGCSsalesPpermitthroughan

applicationfurnishedbythedepartment.

b. ThetriploidgrasscarpTGCSsalesPpermitshallbevalidforone

yearbeginningJanuary1firstandendingDecemberthirty‐first31ofthatsamecalendaryear.

Thepermitmaybepurchasedatanytimeduringtheyearforthecurrentpermityearand

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beginningNovemberfifteenth15fortheimmediatelyfollowingpermityear.Thecostofa

triploidgrasscarpTGCSalesPermitis$250.

c. Anannualreportdetailingeachsalestransaction,includingname

andaddressofpermittedbuyer,permitnumber,date,andnumberoftriploidgrasscarpTGC

soldmustbesubmittedwithpermitrenewalapplication.Reportsshouldbesenttothe

LouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,FisheriesPermitManagerbyemailing

fisheriespermits@wlf.la.govorbymail:

LouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries

FisheriesPermitManager

P.O.Box98000

BatonRouge,LA70898‐9000

2. RequirementfortriploidgrasscarpTGCSalesPermit

a. Nopersonshallimportorcausetobeimportedintothestateof

LouisianatriploidgrasscarpTGCunlesscertifiedastriploidgrasscarpTGCbytheU.S.Fishand

WildlifeServiceoraqualifiedagentorcontractorapprovedbythedepartment.Such

certificationmustbefurnishedtoandapprovedbythedepartmentpriortoimportingofany

fishintothestateofLouisianaforstocking.

b. AtriploidgrasscarpTGCsellermustpossessavaliddomestic

aquaticorganismlicense.

c. ThepersonshallshiptriploidgrasscarpTGCwiththewords

"TRIPLOIDGRASSCARP"prominentlyonatleasttwosidesofthevehicleorhaulingtankwith

blocklettersthatarenotlessthanfourincheshigh.

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d. AtriploidgrasscarpTGCsellerisboundbythetriploidgrasscarp

TGCpossessionandtransportationregulationsasstipulatedinLAC76:VII.901.B;exceptthat:

i. thetriploidgrasscarpTGCSalesPermitservesinlieuof

theTGCtriploidgrasscarpPpossessionandTtransportationPpermit;

ii. theholdersofatriploidgrasscarpTGCSalesPermitmay

onlyselllivetriploidgrasscarpTGCtoholdersofavalidTGCtriploidgrasscarpPpossessionand

TtransportationPpermitoratriploidgrasscarpTGCSsalesPpermit;

iii. nopersonshallsellmorethan500triploidgrasscarpTGC

toanindividualpossessingavalidTGCtriploidgrasscarpPpossessionandTtransportation

Ppermitunlessotherwisestipulatedbythedepartmentinthepermit.

e. AtriploidgrasscarpTGCsellershallnotifythedepartmentatthe

designatedtelephonenumber(1‐800‐442‐2511)ofshipmentsoflivetriploidgrasscarpTGCto

permittedbuyersatleast24hourspriortoshipment.Notificationshallincludeseller’spermit

number,buyer'sname,address,buyer’spermitnumber,numberoffish,destinationof

shipment,anddate.

f. Inadditiontoallotherlegalremedies,failuretocomplywithany

oftheprovisionsinthisSectionshallbejustcausetoimmediatelysuspendand/orrevokethe

permittee'spermit.AlltriploidgrasscarpTGCshallbedestroyedatpermittee'sexpenseunder

thedepartment'ssupervisionwithin30daysofpermitrevocation.Violationofanyofthe

provisionsofthepermitconstitutesaclassfourviolationinaccordancewithR.S.56:319.E

D. RequirementsforStockingtriploidgrasscarpTGCinPublic(stateorlocal)

Waterbodies

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1. NopersonshallreleasetriploidgrasscarpTGCintothepublicwatersof

Louisianawithoutwrittenapprovalofthesecretaryordesignee.Individuals,organizations,and

localgovernmentsmayrequest,inwriting,thattheybeallowedtostocktriploidgrasscarpTGC

inpublicwaters.Thedepartmentshallreviewtherequest,andifapproved,shallprovide

writtenapprovalsignedbythesecretaryordesignee.

AUTHORITYNOTE: PromulgatedinaccordancewithR.S.56:318,R.S.56:319andR.S.

56:319.1.

HISTORICALNOTE: PromulgatedbytheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,Office

ofFisheries,LR17:806(August1991),amendedLR19:511(April1993),LR24:962(May1998),

LR37:3534(December2011),repromulgatedLR38:433(February2012),amendedbythe

DepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,WildlifeandFisheriesCommission,LR.

§903.  Tilapia 

A. RulesandRegulationsonImportation,Culture,Possession,DisposalandSaleof

TilapiainLouisiana.ThefollowingtermsshallhavethefollowingmeaningsinthisSection.

    Culture―allactivitiesassociatedwiththepropagationandnurturingoftilapia.

    Culture Permittee―theindividualororganizationthatpossessesavalidLouisiana

tilapiaculturepermit.

    Culture System―shallbeanapprovedindoorsystemdesignedsuchthatallwater

containing,orthatatanytimemightcontain,tilapia(adultfish,juvenilefish,fry,orfisheggs)is

filtered,screenedand/orsterilizedinsuchamannerasthedepartmentdeemsadequateto

preventanypossibilityofescapefromthesystem.

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    Department―theLouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheriesoran

authorizedemployeeofthedepartment.

    Disposal―thebusinessofprocessing,selling,orpurposelyremovingtilapiafrom

theculturesystem.

    Live Holding Permittee―theindividualororganizationthatpossessesavalid

Louisianatilapialiveholdingpermit.

    Live Holding System―anapprovedindoorholdingordisplaysystemdesigned

suchthatallwatercontaining,oratanytimemightcontain,tilapia(adultfish,juvenilefish,fry

orfisheggs)isfiltered,screenedand/orsterilizedpriortoreleaseinsuchmannerasthe

departmentdeemsadequatetopreventanypossibilityofescape.

    Process―theactofchillkillingwholetilapiainaniceslurryforaperiodofnot

lessthan60minutes,orremovaloftilapiaintestinesfollowedbyimmersioninaniceslurryfora

periodofnotlessthantwominutesorremovalandproperdisposaloftilapiaheadsinsuch

mannerasthedepartmentdeemsnecessarytopreventanypossibilityofaccidentalreleaseof

fryorfertilizedeggs.

    Secretary―theSecretaryoftheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries.

    Tilapia―eggs,fish,orbodypartsbelongingtothegeneraTilapia, Sarotherdon,

orOreochromisandtheirhybrids.

    TilapiaCulture Permit―officialdocumentpertainingtoculturethatidentifiesthe

termsof,andallowsfortheimportation,exportation,transport,culture,possession,disposal,

transferandsaleoftilapiainLouisianaasapprovedbythesecretaryorhisdesignee.

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    Tilapia Live Holding Permit―officialdocumentpertainingtoliveholdingforretail

salethatidentifiesthetermsof,andallowsforthepossessionandsaleoftilapiainLouisianaas

approvedbythesecretaryorhisdesignee.

AB. TilapiaPermitRequestProcedures

1. Individualsororganizationswishingtoimport,export,transport,culture,

possess,dispose,transfer,orselllivetilapiainLouisianamustfirstrequestobtainaTtilapia

CculturePermitorTilapiaLliveHholdingPpermitfromtheLDWFFisheriesPermitManager

secretaryorhisdesigneeoftheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries.Thefollowingprocedures

willbenecessary.

a. Applicationsforpermitscanmaybeobtainedbycontactingthe

FisheriesPermitManagerbyemailingfisheriespermits@wlf.la.govorbymail:

Administrator,InlandFisheriesDivision

DepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries

LouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries

FisheriesPermitManager

P.O.Box98000

BatonRouge,LA70898‐9000

b. Thecompletedapplicationsshouldbereturnedtothesame

addresswherebytheFisheriesPermitManagerInlandFisheriesDivisionpersonnelwillreview

theapplication.Departmentpersonneloradepartmentapprovedcontractor,attheapplicant's

expense,willthenmakeanon‐siteinspectionofthepropertyandcultureorliveholding

system.

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c. Aftertheon‐siteinspectionhasbeencompleted,department

personnelwillmakeafinaldeterminationastowhethertheapplicantisinfullcompliancewith

allrulesforaTtilapiaCculturePermitorTilapiaLliveHholdingPpermit.Departmentpersonnel

willthenrecommendtothesecretaryordesigneeiftheapplicant'srequestshouldbeapproved

ordisapproveddenied.

d. TheFisheriesPermitManagerThesecretaryorhisdesigneewill

notifytheapplicant,inwriting,astowhetherornotthepermithasbeengranted.Intheevent

thatthepermitisdenied,theFisheriesPermitManagershallincludewrittenreasonsforthat

determination.andifnot,why.Intheeventofdisapproval,Aapplicantsmayreapplyafter

correctingspecifieddeficienciesnotedinthesecretary'sorhisdesignee'sletterofdenial.

BC. RulesonTransportofLiveTilapia

1. Thedepartmentshallbenotifiedinwritingatleast24hours2business

dayspriortoshipmentsoflivetilapiafromoneLouisianaTilapiaCculturePpermitholderto

anotherLouisianaTilapiaCculturePpermitholder,ortoaTilapiaLiveHoldingPermitlive

holderswithinthestate,orforanyshipmentsout‐of‐stateonaforminaformatprovidedbythe

department.NotificationshallincludetheLouisianaTtilapiaCculturePpermitnumber,route,

dateandtime(s)oftransport,destination,owneroftransportvehicle,totalnumberofeach

species,permitnumberofresidenttilapiaculturerculturistorliveholder,andacopyor

referencetothegeneticelectrophoreticcertificationofshippedstockbyspecies.Anyone

possessinglivetilapiawithinthestatemusthaveatilapiacultureorliveholdingpermit.Live

tilapiashowingsignsofdiseasesshallnotbetransportedintoorwithinthestateofLouisiana.

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2. Foreachoccurrenceofimportationoftilapiabeingimportedinto

Louisianafromoutofstatetoapermittedresidentculturerculturistorliveholder,the

permitteemustobtain,inwritingorbyemail,approvalfromthedepartment.Proceduresand

necessaryinformationforobtainingapprovalare:

a. requestsshallbemadeto:byemailingtotheFisheriesPermit

Manageratfisheriespermits@wlf.la.gov

Administrator,InlandFisheriesDivision

LouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries

P.O.Box98000

BatonRouge,LA70898‐9000

b. requestsshallinclude:

i. Louisianatilapiapermitnumber,oracopyofthepermit;

ii. routeoftransport;

iii. dateoftransport;

iv. time(s)oftransport;

v. destination;

vi. owneroftransportvehicle;

vii. specieselectrophoreticcertificationmadeanytimenew

fishareaddedtothesystemwithinthepast30daysidentifyingshippedstock(s)tospecies;

viii. totalnumberofeachspecies;

ix. identificationofsellerandbuyer.

21

3. Abillofladingmustaccompanythelivetilapiaduringimport,export,

transport,transfer,orsaleandshallinclude:

a. copyofthepermittee'swrittenapprovalasdescribedinLAC

76:VII.903.C.B.2.above;

b. dateandapproximatetimeofshipment;

c. routeofshipment;

d. sourceoftilapia(culturefacility);

e. name,addressandphonenumberofseller;

f. name,addressandphonenumberofbuyer;

g. identificationandcertificationastospecies;

h. totalnumberofeachspecies;

i. destination;

j. letterfromsourcestatingthattilapiaarenotshowingsignsof

diseases;

k. displaytheword"TILAPIA"prominentlyonatleasttwosidesof

thevehicleorhaulingtankwithlettersthatarenolessthan6incheshigh.

4. Thepermitteeassumesallresponsibilityforthetilapiaassoonasitenters

thestateregardlessoftheownerofthevehicle.Ifmultipleshipmentsarecontainedinthe

vehicle,allpermitteeswithtilapiainthevehicleareresponsiblefortheshipments.Thisincludes

thoseobligationsoutlinedinLAC76:VII.903.G.11.

CD. RulesforSecurityofTilapiaCultureorLiveHoldingFacility

22

1. Applicantmustdemonstratetothesatisfactionofdepartmentofficials

thatadequatesecuritymeasuresareinplaceattheculturefacilitythatwillguardagainst

vandalismandtheftoftilapia.

2. Anychangesormodificationofapermittedsecuritysystemmustfirst

havetheapprovalofdepartmentofficials.

3. Thedepartmentwillhavejustcausetorevokeatilapiapermitforlapses

insecurityif:

a. thepermitteeisfoundtobeinnoncompliancewithParagraphs

LAC76:VII.903.C.1and2above;

b. thepermitteeisdeterminedtobederelictinmaintainingthe

securitymeasuresthatwereapprovedforthepermit;

c. failuretotakeappropriatemeasureswhenvandalism,theft,or

accidentalreleaseoffishoccurs.

4. Itshallbetheresponsibilityofthepermitteetoimmediatelynotifythe

FisheriesPermitManagersecretaryorhisdesigneeofanytilapiathatleavethefacilityforany

reasonotherthanthosespecificallyidentifiedandallowedforundertheircurrentpermit,

includingbutnotlimitedtoaccidentalreleases,theft,etc.

5. Itshallbetheresponsibilityofthepermitteetohaveatleastone

individualwhoisfamiliarwiththeculturesystemreadilyavailableforemergencies,inspections,

etc.

DE. RulesofTilapiaCultureandLiveHoldingSite

23

1. Alegaldescriptionofthetilapiaculturefacilitysitethatshowsownership

mustbesubmittedalongwiththepermitrequest.

2. Theapplicantmustagreetoallowdepartmentofficialsoradepartment

approvedcontractor,attheapplicant'sexpense,toconductunannouncedrandominspections

ofthetransportvehicle,property,culturesystemorliveholdingsystem,andfish.Department

officialsmayrequestotherofficialstoaccompanythemduringtheseinspections.Additionally,

thoseindividualsperformingtheseinspectionsmayremoveortakefishsamplesforanalysis

and/orinspection.

3. Allaspectsofthetilapiaculturefacilitymustbeatleast1footabovethe

100‐yearfloodelevation.Additionally,thedepartmentmayrequireasurfacehydrological

assessmentoftheproposedsiteatpermittee'sexpense.

4. Thedepartmentwillrequirealiveholdingcontingencyplanfordisposal

oflivetilapiaintheeventofimpendingfloodingorothernaturaldisasters.

EF. RulesfortheTilapiaCultureandLiveHoldingSystem

1. Applicantmustprovideadetailednarrativedescription,includingscale

drawings,ofthetilapiacultureorliveholdingsystem.

2. Thetilapiacultureorliveholdingsystemshallbeanapprovedindoor

systemdesignedsuchthattilapiaeggs,larvae,juveniles,oradultscannotescape.

3. AllWaterutilizedinthecultureorliveholdingoftilapiashallbe

accountedforandshallbefiltered,screened,and/orsterilizedpriortoleavingthecultureorlive

holdingsystemandthepermittee'spropertyinsuchamannerasthedepartmentdeems

adequatetopreventanypossibilityofescapefromthesystem.

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4. Allaspectsofthetilapiacultureorliveholdingsystemandprocessing

shallbecompletelyenclosedsothatpredationfrombirds,mammals,amphibians,andreptiles

isprecluded.

5. Ameanstodisposeoftilapiathroughchlorination,desiccation,orother

appropriatemethods,intheeventofanemergencymustbeincludedasacomponentofany

departmentapprovedliveholdingsystem.

6. Oneormorepersonsresponsiblefortheoperationoftheliveholding

systemmustdemonstratetothedepartment'ssatisfactionabasicknowledgeand

understandingoftheculture,biology,andpotentiallocalecologicalimpactsoftilapia.

FG. RulesfortheProcessingofTilapia

1. Alltilapiaandtilapiapartsotherthanlivetilapiaspecificallypermittedby

thedepartmentmustbeproperlyprocessedandkilledpriortoleavingthetilapiacultureorlive

holdingfacility.Tilapiamustbeprocessedusinganyofthefollowingthreeapproved

procedures:

a. chillkillingwholetilapiainaniceslurryforaperiodofnotless

than60minutes,

b. removaloftilapiaintestinesfollowedbyimmersionofwholefish

inaniceslurryforaperiodofnotlessthantwominutes,

c. removalofheadandallinternalorgans.Alltilapiaheadsand

internalorgansmustbeputinaniceslurryforaperiodofnotlessthan60minutesorfrozenfor

24hourspriortodisposaltopreventanypossibilityofaccidentalreleaseoffryorfertilizedeggs.

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2. Alltilapia,otherthanlivetilapiaspecificallypermittedbythedepartment,

beingbroughtintothestatefromwithoutoutsidethestatemustbedead.

3. Recordsshallbekeptatthelocationofthefacility.Recordsshallbekept

ofalltilapiaprocessedatacultureorliveholdingfacilityforthelastfiveyearsandshallinclude

thefollowinginformation:

a. sourceoffish;

b. processedpounds;

c. dateprocessed;

d. Tilapiaculturefacilitiesmustretainallrecordsofsalestolive

holderfacilities.

4. Acopyofthisinformationshallbesenttothedepartment'sFisheries

PermitManagerBatonRougeofficeattheendofeachyear,oratanytimeupontherequestof

departmentofficials.

GH. GeneralRulesforTilapia

1. Thecostofatilapiaculturepermitshallbe$50orandliveholdingpermit

shallbe$50andmayincludeplustheactualcostoftheon‐siteinspection.Qualified

Universitiesconductingresearchapprovedbythedepartmentshallbeexemptfromthefee

charge.

2. Inorderforthepermittobevalid,thefollowinglicenseisrequiredasa

prerequisite:

a. DomesticatedAquaticOrganismLicenseafishfarminglicensefor

tilapiaculturistscultures;

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b. aretaildealer'slicenseforliveholders.Liveholdersdonotneed

topossessaDomesticatedAquaticOrganismLicense.

3. Permitsarevalidfor12monthsexpireonDecember31everyyear.Any

permitissuedafterNovember15,willbevalidfortheremainderofthatcalendaryearandthe

followingcalendaryear.Feeswillnotbeprorated.Allexistingtilapiacultureandliveholder

permitsasofJune2021willbeextendedfornochargethroughDecember2021.

4. Permitsarenottransferablefrompersontoperson,orpropertyto

property.

5. LivetilapiamaybesoldwithinthestateonlytoaholderofavalidTtilapia

CculturePermitorTilapiaLliveHholdingPpermit.ATtilapiaCculturePpermitshallberequired

forthepossessionortransportoftilapiaeggs,fry,orjuveniles.

6. Nopersonmayreleaselivetilapia,fish,oreggsintothewatersof

Louisiana(whetherpublicorprivate)withoutthewrittenapprovalofthesecretary.

7. Permitteemustagreetocollectandprovideanadequatenumberof

tilapiatothedepartmentoradepartmentapprovedcontractoruponrequestforidentification

andanalysis,atthepermittee'sexpense.

8. Onlythosepersonsororganizationswithvalidtilapiapermitsmay

propagate,culture,orpossessthefollowingspeciesand/orhybridsproducedfromtheircrosses.

Thesespeciesmustbeverifiedanytimenewstockisaddedtotheculturefacilitybyagenetic

certificationusinganLDWFapprovedmethod.

Tilapia Oreochromis aurea  Tilapia Oreochromis nilotica 

27

Tilapia Oreochromis 

mossambica 

Tilapia Oreochromis urolepis 

hornorum

9. TilapiaculturepermitteesandLiveHolderpermitteesshallberequiredto

submitanannualreporttotheFisheriesPermitManagersecretaryorhisdesigneeonaform

providedbythedepartment.

10. Thedepartmentmayemploywhatevermeansitdeemsnecessaryto

preventthereleaseorescapementoftilapiaortheireggsintotheenvironment.Thepermittee

shallagreetoreimbursethedepartmentforallcostsincluding,butnotlimitedto,manhours

andmaterialsutilizedduringcorrectiveactions.

11. Thedepartmentshallbeoverseerofallescapeincidentsandmay

implementorrequiretobeimplementedwhatevermeasuresdeemednecessarytocontain,kill,

orrecapturefish.ThepermitteeshallagreetoreimburseWildlifeandFisheriesforall

departmentcostsincluding,butnotlimitedto,manhoursandmaterialsutilizedduringthese

correctiveactions.Inordertoassurethesecretarythatthepermitteewillfulfilltheirfinancial

obligations,thetilapiaculturistspermitteesandtilapialiveholderpermitteesshallposta

performancebond,orpresentaletterofcreditfromafinancialinstitutionstatingthatthevalue

ofthebondisavailabletothedepartmentonacertificateofdeposit.Inordertoassurethe

secretarythatthepermitteewillfulfilltheirfinancialobligations,thetilapiaculturershall,atthe

optionofthedepartment,posta$25,000performancebond,orpresentaletterofcreditfrom

afinancialinstitutionstatingthatthe$25,000isavailabletothedepartmentonacertificateof

deposit.Tilapialiveholderpermitteeswillberequiredtoposta$10,000performancebond,or

28

presentaletterofcreditfromafinancialinstitutionstatingthatthe$10,000isavailabletothe

departmentonacertificateofdeposit.

a. Theperformancebondforatilapiaculturepermitteeshallbe

$25,000forpermitsissuedpriortoJanuary1,2022.Forpermitsissuedafterthisdatethe

performancebondshallincreaseyearlytoamaximumof$50,000asoutlinedinthetable

below.

YEAR TilapiaCulturePermitteeBondValue

2022 $30,000

2023 $35,000

2024 $40,000

2025 $45,000

2026 $50,000

b. Theperformancebondforatilapialiveholderpermitteeshallbe

$10,000forpermitsissuedpriortoJanuary1,2022.Forpermitsissuedafterthisdatethe

performancebondshallincreaseyearlytoamaximumof$50,000asoutlinedinthetable

below.

YEAR TilapiaLiveHolderBondValue

2022 $18,000

2023 $26,000

2024 $34,000

29

2025 $42,000

2026 $50,000

12. Atthetimeofrenewal,theTilapiaculturepermitholdersmustprovide

LDWFacertificatefromacertifiedveterinarianorothercertifiedexpertthatthetilapiaarefree

ofvisiblediseasesandparasites.

12.13. Ifapermitteeterminatestilapiaproductionorliveholding,thepermittee

shallnotifythesecretaryordesigneeimmediatelyanddisposeofthetilapiaaccordingto

methodsapprovedbythedepartment.

    13.14. Inadditiontoallotherlegalremedies,includingprovisionsofR.S.

56:319.E,failuretocomplywithanyoftheprovisionshereinshallbejustcausetoimmediately

suspendand/orrevokethepermittee'spermit.Alltilapiashallbedestroyedatpermittee's

expenseunderthedepartment'ssupervisionwithin30daysofpermitrevocation.

14.15. Anypermitteeallegedlyinviolationoftheaboveruleshasarightto

submitmakeawrittenresponseoftheallegedviolation(s)tothesecretary,requestingahearing

toreviewtheallegedviolation(s)withinfivedaysofreceivingnoticeofviolation.

AUTHORITYNOTE: PromulgatedinaccordancewithR.S.56:318,R.S.56:319andR.S.

319.1.

HISTORICALNOTE: PromulgatedbytheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,Office

ofFisheries,LR17:804(August1991),amendedLR20:1022(September1994),LR21:594(June

1995),LR25:1987(October1999),amendedbytheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,

WildlifeandFisheriesCommission,LR.

30

§905.  Domesticated Aquatic Organisms

Repealed.

A. ProceduresforApprovingaNewSpeciesofDomesticatedAquaticOrganism

1. Anapplicationtoconsideranewaquaticspeciesshallbemadetothe

LouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,AssistantSecretary,OfficeofFisheries.The

applicantshouldincludethefollowinginformation:

a. AmericanFisheriesSocietyapprovedspeciesandcommon

name(s);

b. intendeduseoruses;

c. biology,includingenvironmentaltolerances,diseasesandlife

history;

d. sourcesofbroodstock;

e. references;

f. locationofproposedfacility;and

g. designandoperationofproposedaquaculturefacility.

2. Theassistantsecretarywillforwardtheapplicationtotheappropriate

fisheriesdivision.FreshwaterspecieswillbehandledbytheInlandFisheriesDivisionand

saltwaterspecieswillbehandledbytheMarineFisheriesDivision,regardlessofwherethe

speciesisproposedtoberaised.

3. Thedivisionadministratormayrequesttheapplicanttoprovide

additionalinformation.

31

4. Thedivisionwillconveneatechnicalcommitteeofindividuals,including

enforcementdivisionrepresentation,withsufficientexpertisetoconsidertheapplication.

5. Thetechnicalcommitteewillberesponsibleforevaluatingallrelevant

informationregardingthespecies.Thecommitteewillconsiderapprovinganewaquaticspecies

byevaluatingthepotentialnegativerisksthenewspeciesmighthaveonnativespecies,their

habitats,andhumanhealth.Thecommitteewillalsoconsidermitigationmeasuresthatreduce

risk.ThecommitteewillultimatelyprovidearecommendationtotheAssistantSecretary,Office

ofFisheriestoeitherdenytheapplicant'srequestorapprovetherequestwithorwithout

mitigatingrequirements.

6. Theassistantsecretary,throughadeliberativeprocess,willdetermine

whethertorecommendtothesecretarythatthespeciesbeapprovedasadomesticated

aquaticorganismandunderwhatmitigatingmeasures.Ifapprovedbythesecretary,aformal

requestwillbemadetotheLouisianaWildlifeandFisheriesCommissionintheformofaNotice

ofIntent.

B. Thefollowingisalistof"DomesticatedAquaticOrganisms"approvedforusein

aquaculture:

1. shadowbass(Ambloplites ariommus)notexceedingamaximumtotal

lengthof3inches;

2. whitebass(Morone chrysops)notexceedingamaximumtotallengthof3

inches;

3. yellowbass(Morone mississippiensis)notexceedingamaximumtotal

lengthof3inches;

32

4. crappie(Pomoxis spp.)notexceedingamaximumtotallengthof3inches;

5. bream(Lepomis spp.)notexceedingamaximumtotallengthof3inches;

6. spottedbass(Micropterus punctulatus)notexceedingmaximumtotal

lengthof10inches;

7. stripedbass(Morone saxatilis)notexceedingamaximumtotallengthof

10inches;

8. largemouthbass(Micropterus salmoides)ofanysize;

9. hybridstripedbass(Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops)or(Morone 

saxatilis x Morone mississippiensis)ofanysize;

10. coppernosebluegill(Lepomis macrochirus purpurescens)ofanysize;

11. hybridbreamlimitedtoabluegill(Lepomis macrochirus)andgreen

sunfish(L. cyanellus)crossoraredearsunfish(L. microlophus)andbluegill(L. macrochirus)

crossofanysize;

12. carp(Cyprinus carpio)ofanysize;

13. freshwaterdrum(Aplodinotus grunniens)ofanysize;

14. buffaloes(Ictiobus spp.)ofanysize;

15. goldenshiner(Notemigonus crysoleucas)ofanysize;

16. fatheadminnow(Pimephales promelas)ofanysize;

17. mosquitofish(Gambusia affinis)ofanysize;

18. reddrum(Sciaenops ocellatus);

19. triploidgrasscarp(Ctenopharyngodon idella);SeeLAC76:VII.901;

33

20. tilapia(Oreochromis aurea, O. niloticus, O. mossambicus and O. urolepis 

hornorum);SeeLAC76.VII.903.

21. Reserved.

22. shovelnosesturgeon(Scaphirhynchus platorynchus),seeLAC76:VII.911.

AUTHORITYNOTE: PromulgatedinaccordancewithR.S.56:327(A)(2)andR.S.56:411.

HISTORICALNOTE: PromulgatedbytheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,Wildlife

andFisheriesCommission,LR34:2679(December2008),amendedLR35:1139(June2009),

repromulgatedLR35:1263(July2009),amendedLR44:1455(August2018),repealedLR.

§907.  Game Fish Fingerling AquacultureRules and Regulations [Formerly LAC 76:VII.159] 

A. Afishfarmerraisingandsellinglivegamefishfingerlingsmustobtainanannual

domesticatedaquaticorganismlicenseissuedbythedepartment.ofWildlifeandFisheries

B. Livegamefishfingerlingssoldfromanapprovedfishfarmshallbesubjecttoall

applicablestatutesandrulelimitations,ifany.

C. AFfishfarmerswhoraiseingandsellinglivegamefishfingerlingsmustmaintain

arecordofallsalesandshipmentsofsuchfish,andtheserecordsmustbereadilyavailable

openforinspectionbydesignatedemployeesofthedepartment.ofWildlifeandFisheries

D. Gamefishfarmerswhotransportinggamefishfingerlingsforsalemustpossess

attachabillofladingwhichshallaccompanytoeachshipmentshowingthespeciesoffish

containedintheshipment,number,theoriginofthepayload,destinationoftheshipment,the

nameoftheconsigneeandconsignor,andthegrower'snameanddomesticatedaquatic

organismlicensenumber.

34

E. Alltruckstransportinggamefishfingerlingsforsalemusthavethewords"GAME

FISHFARMER"prominentlydisplayedwithaminimumof3‐inchblockletters.

F. Fishfarmersholdingadomesticatedaquaticorganismlicensearenotgranted

anyfishingprivilegesgreaterthanthosestatedinTtitle56oftheLouisiana Revised Statutesand

mustabidebyallstatutespertainingtodomesticfishfarming.

G. Thedepartmentshallhavetheauthoritytocancelsalesortoconfiscateand

destroyshipmentsofgamefishfingerlingsthataredeterminedbydepartmentpersonnelto

havefishdiseasesorparasitesthatwouldendangernativefishpopulations.Gamefishfarmers

mustagreetoallowdepartmentpersonneloradepartmentapprovedcontractortoconduct

unannouncedrandominspectionsofthetransportvehicle.Thoseindividualsmayremoveor

takefishsamplesforanalysisand/orinspection.

H. Geneticpurityshallbemaintainedandgamefishfingerlingsproducedshallnot

begeneticallymanipulatedoralteredinanywaywithoutpriorapprovalofthedepartment,

exceptforhybridcrosseswithinthegeneraofLepomis, Pomoxis,Micropterus,orMorone,or

fishproducedwithpolyploidchromosomes.

I. Thesecretarymayrevokeanyoralllicensesissuedfortheraisingandsellingof

gamefishfingerlingsifthelicenseefailstoadheretoanyoftheaboveregulations.

AUTHORITYNOTE: PromulgatedinaccordancewithR.S.56:327(A)(2),R.S.56:411,

andR.S.56:412.

HISTORICALNOTE: PromulgatedbytheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,Wildlife

andFisheriesCommission,LR17:893(September1991),amendedbytheDepartmentof

WildlifeandFisheries,OfficeofFisheries,LR24:2155(November1998),amendedbythe

35

DepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,WildlifeandFisheriesCommission,LR40:546(March

2014),LR.

§911.  Shovelnose Sturgeon 

A. RulesandRegulationsonImportation,Culture,DisposalandSaleofShovelnose

SturgeoninLouisiana.ThefollowingtermsshallhavethefollowingmeaningsinthisSection.

Culture―allactivitiesassociatedwiththerearingandnurturingofshovelnose

sturgeon.

Culture System―shallbeanapprovedrecirculatingindoorsystemdesignedsuch

thatallwatercontaining,orthatatanytimemightcontain,shovelnosesturgeon(adultfish,

juvenilefish,fingerlings,fryandeggs)isfiltered,screenedand/orsterilizedinsuchamanneras

thedepartmentdeemsadequatetopreventanypossibilityofescapefromthesystem.

Department―theLouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheriesoran

authorizedemployeeofthedepartment.

Disposal―thebusinessofprocessing,selling,orpurposelyremovingshovelnose

sturgeonfromtheculturesystem.

Permittee―theindividualororganizationthatpossessesavalidLouisiana

shovelnosesturgeonpermit.

Process―theactofkillingshovelnosesturgeon,andproperdisposalof

shovelnosesturgeoninsuchmannerasthedepartmentdeemsnecessarytopreventany

possibilityofaccidentalreleaseoflivefish.

Secretary―thesecretaryoftheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries.

36

Shovelnose Sturgeon―purestrainofgeneticallyunalteredfish(adultfish,

juvenilefish,fingerlings,fryandeggs),belongingtothespeciesScaphirhynchus platorynchus.

Shovelnose SturgeonPermit―officialdocumentpertainingtocultureof

shovelnosesturgeon,andallowsfortheimportation,exportation,transport,culture,

possession,disposal,transferandsaleofshovelnosesturgeoninLouisianaasapprovedbythe

secretaryorhisdesignee.

AB. ShovelnoseSturgeonPermitRequestProcedures

1. Individualsororganizationswishingtoimport,export,transport,culture,

disposeof,ortransferliveShovelnoseSturgeoninLouisianamustfirstrequestaShovelnose

SturgeonpermitfromthesecretaryorhisdesigneeofthedepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries.

Aseparatepermitwillberequiredforeachfacilityorlocation.Thefollowingprocedureswillbe

necessary.

a. Applicationsforpermitsmaybeobtainedbycontactingthe

FisheriesPermitManagerviaemailfisheriespermits@wlf.la.govorbymail:

LouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries

FisheriesPermitManager

P.O.Box98000

BatonRouge,LA70898‐9000

b. Thecompletedapplicationsshouldbereturnedtothesame

addresswherebyFisheriesDivisionpersonnelwillreviewtheapplication.Departmentpersonnel

oradepartmentapprovedcontractor,attheapplicant'sexpense,willthenmakeanon‐site

inspectionofthepropertyandculturesystem.

37

c. Aftertheon‐siteinspectionhasbeencompleted,department

personnelwillmakeafinaldeterminationastowhethertheapplicantisinfullcompliancewith

allrulespertainingtoforaShovelnoseSturgeonpermit.Departmentpersonnelwillthen

recommendtothesecretaryordesigneeiftheapplicant'srequestshouldbeapprovedor

disapproveddenied.

d. TheFisheriesPermitManagerThesecretaryorhisdesigneewill

notifytheapplicant,inwriting,astowhetherornotthepermithasbeengrantedandifnot,

why.Intheeventthatthepermitisdenied,theFisheriesPermitManagershallincludewritten

reasonsforthatdetermination,andthatapplicantmayreapplyaftercorrectingspecified

deficienciesnotedinletterofdenial.Intheeventofdisapproval,Aapplicantsmayreapplyafter

correctingspecifieddeficienciesnotedinthesecretary'sorhisdesignee'sletterofdenial.

BC. RulesonTransportofLiveShovelnoseSturgeon

1. ALouisianaShovelnoseSturgeonPermitdoesnotallowfortheeExportof

liveShovelnoseSturgeonwillnotbeallowedwithfromLouisianaShovelnoseSturgeonpermit.

2. LiveShovelnoseSturgeonbeingimportedintoLouisianafromoutof

state,orlivetransferwithinthestate,thepermitteemustobtain,inwriting,approvalfromthe

department.Theseimportationswillonlybeallowedfromfishthatareacquiredoutsideofthe

RedRiverdrainage,andarelimitedonlytothosepopulationsoccurringoutsideoftherangefor

thesimilarityofappearancelistingforthespeciesShovelnoseandPallidSturgeon.

23. Foreachoccurrenceofliveshovelnosesturgeonbeingimportedinto

Louisianafromoutofstate,orlivetransferwithinthestate,thepermitteemustobtain,in

writing,approvalfromthedepartment.Theseimportationswillonlybeallowedfromfishthat

38

areacquiredoutsideoftheRedRiverdrainage,andlimitedonlytothosepopulationsoccurring

outsideoftherangeforthesimilarityofappearancelistingforthespecies.Thepermitteemust

obtain,inwriting,approvalfromthedepartmentforallimportationsorlivetransferwithinthe

state.TheseWrittenrequestsunderthisSectionmustrequestsshallbemadenolessthan

threetwobusinessdaysbeforetheexpecteddateofshipment.Proceduresandnecessary

informationrequiredtoobtainapprovalare:

a. Requestsshallbemadeviaemailtofisheriespermits@wlf.la.gov

tothedesignatedDepartmentalcontactorviamailto:

LouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries

FisheriesPermitManager

P.O.Box98000

BatonRouge,LA70898‐9000;

b. requestsshallinclude:

i. LouisianaShovelnoseSturgeonpermitnumber;

ii. routeoftransport;

iii. dateoftransport;

iv. time(s)oftransport;

v. destination;

vi. owneroftransportvehicle;

vii. speciescertificationissuedwithinthepast30days

identifyingshippedstocktospecies;

viii. totalnumberofShovelnoseSturgeon;

39

ix. identificationofseller,buyer,andanypermitnumbers

fromthejurisdictionoforigintothejurisdictionofdestinationinwhichtheyarecomingfrom.

34. AbillofladingmustaccompanytheliveShovelnoseSturgeonduring

import,transport,transfer,orsaleandshallinclude:

a. copyofthepermittee'swrittenapprovalasdescribedinParagraph

LAC76:VII.911.B.2above;

b. dateandapproximatetimeofshipment;

c. routeofshipment;

d. sourceofShovelnoseSturgeon;

e. name,address,andphonenumberofseller,

f. name,address,andphonenumberofbuyer;

g. identificationandcertificationastospecies;

h. totalnumberofShovelnoseSturgeon;

i. destination;

j. ifimported,thesourcemustprovidecertificateofhealthfroma

veterinarianorothercertifiedexpertstatingthatShovelnoseSturgeonarenotshowingsignsof

diseases;

k. displaythewords"SHOVELNOSE"prominentlyonatleasttwo

sidesofthevehicleorhaulingtankwithlettersthatarenolessthan6incheshigh.

CD. RulesforSecurityofShovelnoseSturgeonCultureFacility

1. ShovelnoseSturgeonliveholdingfacilitieswillonlybepermittedinthe

followingparishes:Acadia,Allen,Beauregard,Bienville,Bossier,Caddo,Calcasieu,Caldwell,

40

Cameron,Catahoula,Claiborne,DeSoto,Evangeline,Franklin,Grant,Jackson,JeffersonDavis,

LaSalle,Lafayette,Lincoln,Morehouse,Natchitoches,Ouachita,Rapides,Sabine,Union,

Vermilion,Vernon,Webster,WestCarrol,andWinn.

2. Applicantmustdemonstratetothesatisfactionofdepartmentofficials

thatadequatesufficientsecuritymeasuresareinplaceattheliveholdingfacilitythatwillguard

againstvandalismandtheftofShovelnoseSturgeon.

3. Anychangesormodificationofapermittedsecuritysystemmustfirst

havetheapprovalofdepartmentofficials.

4. ThedepartmentwillhavejustcausetorevokeaShovelnoseSturgeon

permitforlapsesinsecurityif:

a. thepermitteeisfoundtobeinnoncompliancewithParagraphs

LAC76:VII.911.C.2and3above;

b. thepermitteeisdeterminedtobederelictinmaintainingthe

securitymeasuresthatwereapprovedforthepermit;

c. failuretotakeappropriatemeasureswhenvandalism,theft,or

accidentalreleaseoffishoccurs.

5. Itshallbetheresponsibilityofthepermitteetoimmediatelynotifythe

secretaryorhisdesigneeofanyShovelnoseSturgeonthatleavethefacilityforanyreasonother

thanthosespecificallyidentifiedandallowedforundertheircurrentpermit,includingbutnot

limitedtoaccidentalreleasesduetoweatherrelatedevents,vandalismandtheft.

41

6. Itshallbetheresponsibilityofthepermitteetohaveatleastone

individualwhoisfamiliarwiththeliveholdersystemreadilyavailableforemergenciesand

inspections,bothannouncedandunannounced.

DE. RulesofShovelnoseSturgeonCultureSite

1. AlegaldescriptionoftheShovelnoseSturgeonliveholdingfacilitysite

thatprovesownershipmustbesubmittedalongwiththepermitrequest.

2. Theapplicantmustagreetoallowdepartmentofficialsoradepartment

approvedcontractor,attheapplicant'sexpense,toconductunannouncedrandominspections

ofthetransportvehicle,propertyculturesystem,andfish.Departmentofficialsmayrequest

otherofficialstoaccompanythemduringtheseinspections.Additionally,thoseindividuals

performingtheseinspectionsmayremoveortakefishsamplesforanalysisand/orinspection.

3. AllaspectsoftheShovelnoseSturgeonculturefacilitymustbeatleast1

footabovethe100‐yearfloodelevation.Additionally,thedepartmentmayrequireasurface

hydrologicalassessmentoftheproposedsiteatthepermittee'sexpense.

4. Thedepartmentwillrequirealiveholdingcontingencyplanfordisposal

ofliveShovelnoseSturgeonintheeventofimpendingfloodingorothernaturaldisasters.

5. AllShovelnoseSturgeonshallbetaggedwithadepartmentalapproved

non‐removabletag.

EF. RulesfortheShovelnoseSturgeonCultureSystem

1. Applicantmustprovideadetailednarrativedescription,includingscale

drawings,oftheShovelnoseSturgeonculturesystem.

42

2. TheShovelnoseSturgeonculturesystemshallbeanapprovedindoor

recirculatingsystemdesignedsuchthatShovelnoseSturgeoneggs,larvae,fingerlings,juveniles,

oradultscannotescape.

3. AllwaterutilizedinthecultureofShovelnoseSturgeonshallbe

accountedforandshallbefiltered,screened,and/orsterilizedpriortoleavingtheliveholding

systemandthepermittee'spropertyinsuchamannerasthedepartmentdeemsadequateto

preventanypossibilityofescapefromthesystem.

4. AllaspectsoftheShovelnoseSturgeonculturesystemandprocessing

shallbecompletelyenclosedsothatpredationfrombirds,mammals,amphibians,andreptiles

isprecluded.

5. AmeanstodisposeofShovelnoseSturgeonthroughchlorination,

desiccation,orotherappropriatemethodsintheeventofanemergencymustbeincludedasa

componentofanydepartmentapprovedliveholdingsystem.

6. Oneormorepersonsresponsiblefortheoperationoftheliveholding

systemmustdemonstratetothedepartment'ssatisfactionabasicknowledgeand

understandingoftheculture,rearing(careandfeeding),biology,andpotentiallocalecological

impactsofShovelnoseSturgeon.

FG. RulesfortheProcessingofShovelnoseSturgeon

1. AllShovelnoseSturgeonandShovelnoseSturgeonpartsotherthanlive

ShovelnoseSturgeonspecificallypermittedbythedepartmentmustbeproperlyprocessedand

killedpriortoleavingtheShovelnoseSturgeonculturefacility.AtnotimewillliveShovelnose

SturgeonbeallowedtobemovedwithinLouisianawithoutexpressedapprovalofthe

43

department.NoliveShovelnoseSturgeonshallbesoldortransferredtoanypartiesoutsideof

Louisiana.TransferbetweenLouisianaShovelnoseSturgeonpermitteeswithinthestateof

LouisianamustbeapprovedpriortoshipmentasdescribedinParagraphC.2.LAC76:VII.911.B.2

above.

2. RecordsofallShovelnoseSturgeonprocessedforthepreviousfiveyears

shallbekeptatthepermittedculturefacilityofallShovelnoseSturgeonprocessedataculture

facilityandshallincludethefollowinginformation:

a. sourceoffish;

b. processedpoundsofbothmeatandcaviar;and

c. dateprocessed.

3. AcopyofthisinformationshallbesenttotheDepartment'sBatonRouge

officeFisheriesPermitManagerbyDecember31attheendofeachyear,oratanytimeupon

therequestofdepartmentofficials.

GH.GeneralRulesforShovelnoseSturgeon

1. ThecostofaShovelnoseSturgeonliveholdingpermitshallbe$50and

mayincludeplustheactualcostoftheon‐siteinspection.QualifiedUniversitiesandother

facilitiesconductingresearchapprovedbythedepartmentshallbeexemptfromthefeecharge.

2. Inorderforthepermittobevalid,thefollowinglicensesarerequiredasa

prerequisite:

a. DdomesticatedAaquaticOorganismlicense;

b. wholesale/retaildealerslicenseoraretaildealer'slicense.

44

3. Permitsarevalidfor12monthsandexpireonDecember31everyyear.

AnypermitissuedafterNovember15willbevalidfortheremainderofthatcalendaryearand

thefollowingcalendaryear.

4. Permitsarenottransferablefrompersontoperson,orpropertyto

property.

5. LiveShovelnoseSturgeonshallnotbesoldwithinLouisianaexcepttoa

permittedculturefacility.

6. NopersonmayreleaseliveShovelnoseSturgeon,fish,oreggsintothe

watersofLouisiana(whetherpublicorprivate).

7. Permitteemustagreetocollectandprovideanadequatenumberof

ShovelnoseSturgeontothedepartmentoradepartmentapprovedcontractoruponrequestfor

identificationandanalysis,atthepermittee'sexpense.

8. TheonlySturgeonallowedincommercialaquacultureunderthe

LouisianaShovelnoseSturgeonpermitis Scaphirhynchus platorynchus. Nogeneticallyaltered

ShovelnoseSturgeonortheirhybridsareallowed.

9. ShovelnoseSturgeonpermitteesshallberequiredtosubmitanannual

reporttothesecretaryordesigneeonaformprovidedbythedepartment.

10. Thedepartmentmayemploywhatevermeansitdeemsnecessaryto

preventthereleaseorescapementofShovelnoseSturgeonortheireggsintotheenvironment.

Thepermitteeshallagreetoreimbursethedepartmentforallcostsincluding,butnotlimited

to,manhoursandmaterialsutilizedduringcorrectiveactions.

45

11. Thedepartmentshallbeoverseerofallescapeincidentsandmay

implementorrequiretobeimplementedwhatevermeasuresdeemednecessarytocontain,kill,

orrecapturefish.ThepermitteeshallagreetoreimbursethedepartmentofWildlifeand

Fisheriesforallcostsincluding,butnotlimitedto,manhoursandmaterialsutilizedduringthese

correctiveactions.Inordertoassurethesecretarythatthepermitteewillfulfilltheirfinancial

obligations,theShovelnoseSturgeonpermitteeshallposta$50,000performancebond,or

presentaletterofcreditfromafinancialinstitutionstatingthatthe$50,000isavailabletothe

departmentonacertificateofdeposit.

12. IfapermitteeterminatesShovelnoseSturgeonculture,thepermittee

shallnotifythesecretaryorhisdesigneeimmediatelyanddisposeoftheShovelnoseSturgeon

accordingtomethodsapprovedbythedepartment.

13. Inadditiontoallotherlegalremedies,includingprovisionsofR.S.

56:319.E,failuretocomplywithanyoftheprovisionshereinshallbejustcausetoimmediately

suspendand/orrevokethepermittee'spermit.AllShovelnoseSturgeonshallbedestroyedat

permittee'sexpenseunderthedepartment'ssupervisionwithin30daysofpermitrevocation.

14. Anypermitteeallegedlyinviolationoftheaboveruleshasarighttomake

awrittenresponseoftheallegedviolation(s)tothesecretaryrequestingahearingtoreviewthe

allegedviolation(s)withinfivedays.

HI. CollectionofShovelnoseSturgeonBroodstockfromLouisianaWaters

1. ThedepartmentofWildlifeandFisherieswillallowlegallypermitted

ShovelnoseSturgeonpermitholderstocollectlocalbroodstockfromapprovedlocationsonthe

RedRiverwhileunderthesupervisionofdepartmentalpersonnelorotherapprovedthird

46

parties.Thepermitteemaybechargedforassociatedcostsincluding,butnotlimitedto,man‐

powerandequipment.

2. Thiscollectionofbroodstockwillbelimitedto3years.Thepermitteemay

begrantedadditionalyearsuponapprovalbythesecretary.Thecollectionmustbeapproved

andcoordinatedwiththeLDWFFfisheriesPpermitMmanagerandtheDirectorofInland

Fisheriesandwouldrequireaspecialbroodstockcollectionpermitfromthesecretary.

AUTHORITYNOTE: PromulgatedinaccordancewithR.S.56:318andR.S.56:319.

HISTORICALNOTE: PromulgatedbytheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,Wildlife

andFisheriesCommission,LR44:1455(August2018),amendedLR.

§913.  Rainbow trout 

A. RainbowTroutPermitRequestProcedures

1. Individualsororganizationswishingtoimport,export,transport,culture,

dispose,ortransferliveRainbowTroutforaquacultureinLouisianamustfirstrequesta

RainbowTroutpermitfromLDWFFisheriesPermitManager.Aseparatepermitwillbe

requiredforeachfacilityorlocation.Thispermitisnotneededforstockingintopublicor

privatewaters,andpersonsinterestedinstockingRainbowTroutshouldcontacttheFisheries

PermitManagertorequestaspecialRainbowTroutstockingpermit.

2. ApplicationsforRainbowTroutpermitsmaybeobtainedbycontacting

theFisheriesPermitManagerviaemailingfisheriespermits@wlf.la.govorbymail:

LouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries

FisheriesPermitManager

P.O.Box98000

47

BatonRouge,LA70898‐9000

3. Thecompletedapplicationsmustbereturnedtothesameaddress

wherebytheFisheriesPermitManagerwillreviewtheapplication.Departmentpersonnelora

departmentapprovedcontractorwillthenmakeanon‐siteinspectionofthepropertyand

culturesystem.Thedepartmentmaychargetheapplicantforanyassociatedcoststoperform

theinspection.

4. Aftertheon‐siteinspectionhasbeencompleted,theFisheriesPermit

Managerwillmakeafinaldeterminationastowhethertheapplicantisinfullcompliancewith

allrulespursuanttotheRainbowTroutpermit.TheFisheriesPermitManagerwillthenmakea

recommendationofapprovalordenialoftheapplicant’srequesttothesecretaryordesignee.

5. TheFisheriesPermitManagerwillnotifytheapplicant,inwriting,asto

whetherornotthepermithasbeengranted.Intheeventthatthepermitisdenied,the

FisheriesPermitManagershallincludewrittenreasonsforthatdetermination.Applicantmay

reapplyaftercorrectingspecifieddeficienciesnotedinletterofdenial.

B. RulesonTransportofLiveRainbowTrout

1. ForeachoccurrenceofliveRainbowTroutimportationintoLouisiana

fromoutofstate,orlivetransferwithinthestate,thepermitteemustobtain,inwriting,

approvalfromtheFisheriesPermitManager.Theserequestsshallbemadenolessthantwo

businessdaysbeforetheexpecteddateofshipment.

a. Requestsshallbemadeviaemailtofisheriespermits@wlf.la.gov

b. Requestsshallinclude:

i. LouisianaRainbowTroutpermitnumber,

48

ii. dateoftransport;

iii. totalnumberofRainbowTrout;

iv. identificationofsellerandbuyerandanypermitnumbers

fromthejurisdictionoforigintothejurisdictionofdestinationinwhichtheyarecomingfrom;

v. acertificateofhealthfromaveterinarianorothercertified

expertstatingthatRainbowTroutarenotshowingvisiblesignsofdiseasesorparasites.The

facilityanddeliveryvehicleshallbefreeofdiseases,parasitesorotherorganismssuchas

Didymosphenia geminate (commonlyknownasDidymoor“RockSnot”).

C. RulesofRainbowTroutCulture

1. Itshallbetheresponsibilityofthepermitteetoimmediatelynotifythe

secretaryordesigneeofanyRainbowTroutthatleavethefacilityforanyreasonotherthan

thosespecificallyidentifiedandallowedforundertheircurrentpermit,includingbutnot

limitedto,accidentalreleasesduetoweatherrelatedevents,vandalism,andtheft.

2. ThedepartmentwillhavejustcausetorevokeaRainbowTroutpermit

forlapsesinsecurityifthepermitteeisfoundtobeinnoncompliancewithLAC76:VII.913.C.1.

3. Theapplicantmustagreetoallowdepartmentofficialsoradepartment

approvedcontractor,attheapplicant'sexpense,toconductunannouncedrandominspections

ofthetransportvehicle,propertyculturesystem,andfish.Departmentofficialsmayrequest

otherofficialstoaccompanythemduringtheseinspections.Additionally,thoseindividuals

performingtheseinspectionsmayremoveortakefishsamplesforanalysisand/orinspection.

4. Inorderforthepermittobevalid,thefollowinglicensesarerequiredasa

prerequisite:

49

a. DomesticatedAquaticOrganismLicense.

5. PermitsexpireonDecember31ofeveryyear.Anypermitissuedafter

November15,willbevalidfortheremainderofthatcalendaryearandthefollowingcalendar

year.

6. Permitsarenottransferablefrompersontoperson,orpropertyto

property.

7. TransferoffishbetweenLouisianaRainbowTroutpermitteeswithinthe

stateofLouisianamustbeapprovedpriortoshipmentasdescribedinLAC76:VII.913.B.1

above. 

8. NopersonmayreleaseliveRainbowTrout,fish,oreggsintothewaters

ofLouisiana(whetherpublicorprivate)withoutLDWFSecretarialapproval.

9. Permitteemustagreetocollectandprovideanadequatenumberof

RainbowTrouttothedepartmentoradepartmentapprovedcontractoruponrequestfor

identificationandanalysisatthepermittee'sexpense.

10. Recordsfortheprevious5yearsshallbekeptatthefacilityofallRainbow

Troutprocessedataculturefacilityandshallincludethefollowinginformation:

a. sourceoffish;

b. processedpoundsoffish;and

c. datefishprocessed.

11. AcopyofthisinformationshallbesentannuallytotheFisheriesPermit

Managerattheendofeachyearpriortopermitrenewal,oratanytimeuponrequest.

50

12. IfapermitteeterminatesRainbowTroutculture,thepermitteeshall

notifythesecretaryordesigneeimmediatelyanddisposeoftheRainbowTroutaccordingto

methodsapprovedbythedepartment.

13. Inadditiontoallotherlegalremedies,includingprovisionsofR.S.

56:319.E,failuretocomplywithanyoftheprovisionshereinshallbejustcausetoimmediately

suspendand/orrevokethepermittee'spermit.AllRainbowTroutshallbedestroyedat

permittee'sexpenseunderthedepartment'ssupervisionwithin30daysofpermitrevocation.

14. Anypermitteeallegedlyinviolationoftheaboveruleshasarightto

makeawrittenresponseoftheallegedviolation(s)tothesecretaryrequestingahearingto

reviewtheallegedviolation(s)withinfivedays.

AUTHORITYNOTE: PromulgatedinaccordancewithR.S.56:318andR.S.56:319.

HISTORICALNOTE: PromulgatedbytheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,Wildlife

andFisheriesCommission,LR.

§915.  Aquarium Livestock 

  A. Thefollowingspeciesorgroupsofspecieshavebeenapprovedforcommercial

cultureinLouisiana.Anyquestionsonwhetheraspeciesfitsintothecategoriesbelowshould

bedirectedtotheFisheriesPermitManager.

1. “BristlenoseCatfish”:Ancitrus sp.

2. AfricanRiftLakeCichlidsfromtheCichlidaefamily,tribeHaplochromini

3. FancyGuppy(Poecilia reticulata)

B. Individualsororganizationswishingtoimport,export,transport,dispose,or

transferliveAquariumLivestockforcommercialcultureandrearinginLouisianamustfirst

51

requestanAquariumLivestockpermitfromtheLDWFFisheriesPermitManager.Aseparate

permitwillberequiredforeachfacilityorlocation.Retailstoresorwholesalerswhoarenot

activelybreedingorgrowingAquariumLivestockandhomeaquaristswhoarenotselling

commerciallyareallexemptfromobtaininganAquariumLivestockpermitasoutlinedin

LAC:76:VII.915.

1. ApplicationsforpermitsmaybeobtainedbycontactingtheFisheries

PermitManagerviaemailingfisheriespermits@wlf.la.govorbymail:

LouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries

FisheriesPermitManager

P.O.Box98000

BatonRouge,LA70898‐9000

2. Thecompletedapplicationsshouldbereturnedtothesameaddress

wherebytheFisheriesPermitManagerwillreviewtheapplication.Departmentpersonnelora

departmentapprovedcontractorwillthenmakeanon‐siteinspectionofthepropertyand

culturesystem.

3. Aftertheon‐siteinspectionhasbeencompleted,theFisheriesPermit

Managerwillmakeafinaldeterminationastowhethertheapplicantisinfullcompliancewith

allrulesforanAquariumLivestockpermit.TheFisheriesPermitManagerwillthenrecommend

tothesecretaryiftheapplicant'srequestshouldbeapprovedordenied.

4. TheFisheriesPermitManagerwillnotifytheapplicant,inwriting,asto

whetherornotthepermithasbeengranted.Intheeventthatthepermitisdenied,the

52

FisheriesPermitManagershallincludewrittenreasonsforthatdetermination.Applicantmay

reapplyaftercorrectingspecifieddeficienciesnotedinletterofdenial.

C. RulesofAquariumLivestockCulture

1. Itshallbetheresponsibilityofthepermitteetoimmediatelynotifythe

secretaryordesigneeofanyAquariumLivestockthatleavethefacilityforanyreasonother

thanthosespecificallyidentifiedandallowedforundertheircurrentpermit,includingbutnot

limitedtoaccidentalreleasesduetoweatherrelatedevents,vandalism,andtheft.

2. AllaspectsoftheAquariumLivestockfacilitymustbeatleast1foot

abovethe100‐yearfloodelevation.Additionally,thedepartmentmayrequireasurface

hydrologicalassessmentoftheproposedsiteatpermittee'sexpense.

3. Allwaterutilizedinthecultureofaquariumlivestockshallbeaccounted

forandshallbefiltered,screened,and/orsterilizedpriortoleavingthecultureandthe

permittee'spropertyinsuchamannerasthedepartmentdeemsadequatetopreventany

possibilityofescapefromthesystem.

4. AllaspectsoftheAquariumLivestockculturesystemandprocessingshall

becompletelyenclosedsothatpredationfrombirds,mammals,amphibians,andreptilesis

precluded.

5. AmeanstodisposeofAquariumLivestockthroughchlorination,

desiccation,orotherappropriatemethodsintheeventofanemergencymustbeincludedasa

componentofanydepartmentapprovedsystem.

53

6. ThedepartmentwillhavejustcausetorevokeanAquariumLivestock

permitforlapsesinsecurityifthepermitteeisfoundtobeinnoncompliancewithLAC

76:VII.915.C.1.

7. Theapplicantmustagreetoallowdepartmentofficialsoradepartment

approvedcontractor,attheapplicant'sexpense,toconductunannouncedrandominspections

ofthetransportvehicle,propertyculturesystem,andfish.Departmentofficialsmayrequest

otherofficialstoaccompanythemduringtheseinspections.Additionally,thoseindividuals

performingtheseinspectionsmayremoveortakefishsamplesforanalysisand/orinspection.

8. Inorderforthepermittobevalid,thefollowinglicensesarerequiredasa

prerequisite:

a. DomesticatedAquaticOrganismLicense.

9. PermitsexpireonDecember31everyyear.Anypermitissuedafter

November15willbevalidfortheremainderofthatcalendaryearandthefollowingcalendar

year.

10. Permitsarenottransferablefrompersontoperson,orpropertyto

property.

11. NopersonmayreleaseliveAquariumLivestockoreggsintothewatersof

Louisiana(whetherpublicorprivate)withoutLDWFSecretarialApproval.

12. Permitteemustagreetocollectandprovideanadequatenumberof

AquariumLivestocktothedepartmentoradepartmentapprovedcontractoruponrequestfor

identificationandanalysis,atthepermittee'sexpense.

54

13. RecordsofallAquariumLivestockprocessedoverthepreviousfiveyears

shallbekeptattheculturefacilityandshallincludethefollowinginformation:

a. sourceoffish;

b. importandexportquantitiesincludinginformationofwho

purchasedorsuppliedtheAquariumLivestock;and

c. dateofalltransactions.

14. AcopyofthisinformationshallbesentannuallytotheFisheriespermit

managerattheendofeachyearpriortopermitrenewal,oratanytimeupontherequest.

15. Anytimeanewspecies,hybridortypeisaddedintothefacility,the

applicantmustcontacttheFisheriesPermitManagerforapprovalpriortoimportationofthe

speciesintotheirfacility.

16. Thedepartmentshallbeoverseerofallescapeincidentsandmay

implementorrequiretobeimplementedwhatevermeasuresdeemednecessarytocontain,kill,

orrecapturefish.Thepermitteeshallagreetoreimbursethedepartmentforallcostsincluding,

butnotlimitedto,manhoursandmaterialsutilizedduringthesecorrectiveactions.Inorderto

assurethesecretarythatthepermitteewillfulfilltheirfinancialobligations,theAquarium

Livestockpermitteeshallposta$25,000performancebond,orpresentaletterofcreditfroma

financialinstitutionstatingthatthe$25,000isavailabletothedepartmentonacertificateof

deposit.

17. IfapermitteeterminatesAquariumLivestockculture,thepermitteeshall

notifythesecretaryordesigneeimmediatelyanddisposeoftheAquariumLivestockaccording

tomethodsapprovedbythedepartment.

55

18. Inadditiontoallotherlegalremedies,includingprovisionsofR.S.

56:319.E,failuretocomplywithanyoftheprovisionshereinshallbejustcausetoimmediately

suspendand/orrevokethepermittee'spermit.AllAquariumLivestockshallbedestroyedat

permittee'sexpenseunderthedepartment'ssupervisionwithin30daysofpermitrevocation.

19. Anypermitteeallegedlyinviolationoftheaboveruleshasarightto

makeawrittenresponseoftheallegedviolation(s)tothesecretaryrequestingahearingto

reviewtheallegedviolation(s)withinfivedays.

AUTHORITYNOTE: PromulgatedinaccordancewithR.S.56:318andR.S.56:319.

HISTORICALNOTE: PromulgatedbytheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,Wildlife

andFisheriesCommission,LR. 

§919.  Freshwater Prawns 

A. FreshwaterPrawn PermitRequestProcedures

1. Individualsororganizationswishingtoimport,export,transport,culture,

dispose,ortransferlivefreshwaterprawnsforaquacultureinLouisianamustfirstrequesta

FreshwaterPrawnPermitfromLDWFFisheriesPermitManager.Aseparatepermitwillbe

requiredforeachfacilityorlocation.

2. ApplicationsforpermitsmaybeobtainedbycontactingtheFisheries

PermitManagerviaemailingfisheriespermits@wlf.la.govorbymail:

LouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries

FisheriesPermitManager

P.O.Box98000

BatonRouge,LA70898‐9000

56

3. Thecompletedapplicationmustbereturnedtothesameaddress

wherebytheFisheriesPermitManagerwillreviewtheapplication.Departmentpersonnelora

departmentapprovedcontractorwillthenmakeanon‐siteinspectionofthepropertyand

culturesystem.

4. Aftertheon‐siteinspectionhasbeencompleted,theFisheriesPermit

Managerwillmakeafinaldeterminationastowhethertheapplicantisinfullcompliancewith

allrulespursuanttotheFreshwaterPrawnPermit.TheFisheriesPermitManagerwillthen

makearecommendationofapprovalordenialoftheapplicant’srequesttothesecretaryor

designee.

5. TheFisheriesPermitManagerwillnotifytheapplicant,inwriting,asto

whetherornotthepermithasbeengranted.Intheeventthatthepermitisdenied,the

FisheriesPermitManagershallincludewrittenreasonsforthatdetermination.Applicantmay

reapplyaftercorrectingspecifieddeficienciesnotedinletterofdenial.

B. RulesonTransportofLiveFreshwaterPrawn

1. ForeachoccurrenceoflivefreshwaterprawnimportationintoLouisiana

fromoutofstate,orlivetransferwithinthestate,thepermitteemustobtain,inwriting,

approvalfromtheFisheriesPermitManager.Theserequestsshallbemadenolessthantwo

businessdaysbeforetheexpecteddateofshipment.

a. Requestsshallbemadeviaemailtofisheriespermits@wlf.la.gov

b. Requestsshallinclude:

i. LouisianaFreshwaterPrawnPermitnumber;

ii. dateoftransport;

57

iii. totalnumberoffreshwaterprawns;

iv. identificationofsellerandbuyerandanypermitnumbers

fromthejurisdictionoforigintothejurisdictionofdestinationinwhichtheyarecomingfrom;

v. acertificateofhealthfromaveterinarianorothercertified

expertstatingthatfreshwaterprawnarenotshowingvisiblesignsofdiseasesorparasites.

C. RulesofFreshwaterPrawnCulture

1. Itshallbetheresponsibilityofthepermitteetoimmediatelynotifythe

secretaryordesigneeofanyfreshwaterprawnthatleavethefacilityforanyreasonotherthan

thosespecificallyidentifiedandallowedforundertheircurrentpermit,includingbutnot

limitedtoaccidentalreleasesduetoweatherrelatedevents,vandalism,andtheft.

2. Allaspectsofthefreshwaterprawnfacilitymustbeatleast1footabove

the100‐yearfloodelevation.Additionally,thedepartmentmayrequireasurfacehydrological

assessmentoftheproposedsiteatpermittee'sexpense.

3. Allwaterutilizedinthecultureoffreshwaterprawnshallbeaccounted

forandshallbefiltered,screened,and/orsterilizedpriortoleavingthecultureandthe

permittee'spropertyinsuchamannerasthedepartmentdeemsadequatetopreventany

possibilityofescapefromthesystem.

4. Allaspectsofthefreshwaterprawnculturesystemandprocessingshall

becompletelyenclosedsothatpredationfrombirds,mammals,amphibians,andreptilesis

precluded.

58

5. Ameanstodisposeoffreshwaterprawnthroughchlorination,

desiccation,orotherappropriatemethodsintheeventofanemergencymustbeincludedasa

componentofanydepartmentapprovedsystem.

6. ThedepartmentwillhavejustcausetorevokeaFreshwaterPrawnPermit

forlapsesinsecurityifthepermitteeisfoundtobeinnoncompliancewithLAC76:VII.919.C.1.

7. Theapplicantmustallowdepartmentofficialsoradepartmentapproved

contractor,attheapplicant'sexpense,toconductunannouncedrandominspectionsofthe

transportvehicle,propertyculturesystem,andfish.Departmentofficialsmayrequestother

officialstoaccompanythemduringtheseinspections.Additionally,thoseindividuals

performingtheseinspectionsmayremoveortakeprawnsamplesforanalysisand/or

inspection.

8. Inorderforthepermittobevalid,thefollowinglicensesarerequiredasa

prerequisite:

a. DomesticatedAquaticOrganismLicense

9. PermitsexpireonDecember31everyyear.Anypermitissuedafter

November15willbevalidfortheremainderofthatcalendaryearandthefollowingcalendar

year.

10. Permitsarenottransferablefrompersontoperson,orpropertyto

property.

11. Nopersonmayreleaseliveanylifestagesoffreshwaterprawnsoreggs

intothewatersofLouisiana(whetherpublicorprivate)withoutLDWFSecretarialapproval.

59

12. Permitteemustagreetocollectandprovideanadequatenumberof

freshwaterprawnstothedepartmentoradepartmentapprovedcontractoruponrequestfor

identificationandanalysis,atthepermittee'sexpense.

13. Recordsforthepreviousfiveyearsshallbekeptatthefacilityofall

freshwaterprawnprocessedataculturefacilityandshallincludethefollowinginformation:

a. sourceoffreshwaterprawns;

b. importandliveexportquantitiesincludinginformationofwho

purchasedorsuppliedthelivefreshwaterprawns;and

c. dateofalltransactions.

14. AcopyofthisinformationshallbesentannuallytotheFisheriesPermit

Managerattheendofeachyearpriortopermitrenewal,oratanytimeupontherequest.

15. Thedepartmentshallbeoverseerofallescapeincidentsandmay

implementorrequiretobeimplementedwhatevermeasuresdeemednecessarytocontain,

kill,orrecapturefreshwaterprawns.Thepermitteeshallagreetoreimbursethedepartment

forallcostsincluding,butnotlimitedto,manhoursandmaterialsutilizedduringthese

correctiveactions.Inordertoassurethesecretarythatthepermitteewillfulfilltheirfinancial

obligations,thefreshwaterprawnpermitteeshallposta$25,000performancebond,orpresent

aletterofcreditfromafinancialinstitutionstatingthatthe$25,000isavailabletothe

departmentonacertificateofdeposit.

16. Ifapermitteeterminatesfreshwaterprawnculture,thepermitteeshall

notifythesecretaryordesigneeimmediatelyanddisposeoffreshwaterprawnsaccordingto

methodsapprovedbythedepartment.

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17. Inadditiontoallotherlegalremedies,includingprovisionsofR.S.

56:319.E,failuretocomplywithanyoftheprovisionshereinshallbejustcausetoimmediately

suspendand/orrevokethepermittee'spermit.Allfreshwaterprawnsshallbedestroyedat

permittee'sexpenseunderthedepartment'ssupervisionwithin30daysofpermitrevocation.

18. Anypermitteeallegedlyinviolationoftheaboveruleshasarightto

makeawrittenresponseoftheallegedviolation(s)tothesecretaryrequestingahearingto

reviewtheallegedviolation(s)withinfivedays.

AUTHORITYNOTE: PromulgatedinaccordancewithR.S.56:318andR.S.56:319.

HISTORICALNOTE: PromulgatedbytheDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,Wildlife

andFisheriesCommission,LR.  

Family Impact Statement 

InaccordancewithAct1183of1999RegularSessionoftheLouisianaLegislature,the

DepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,WildlifeandFisheriesCommissionherebyissuesits

FamilyImpactStatementinconnectionwiththeprecedingNoticeofIntent.ThisNoticeof

IntentwillhavenoimpactonthesixcriteriasetoutatR.S.49:972(B).

Poverty Impact Statement 

TheproposedrulemakingwillhavenoimpactonpovertyasdescribedinR.S.49:973.

Small Business Analysis

ThisproposedrulehasnoknownimpactonsmallbusinessesasdescribedinR.S.

49:965.2throughR.S.49:965.8.

Provider Impact Statement 

ThisRulehasnoknownimpactonprovidersasdescribedinHCR170of2014.

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Public Comments 

InterestedpersonsmaysubmitwrittencommentsrelativetotheproposedruletoMr.

RobertBourgeois,OfficeofFisheries,DepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries,Box98000,Baton

Rouge,LA70898‐9000,priorto4:30p.m.,Tuesday,July6,2021. 

JerriG.Smitko

Chairman