Code of Vermont Rules
Agency 12 - AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Sub-Agency 010 - DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
Chapter 077 - RULE ESTABLISHING A LIST FOR PROHIBITED, RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED FISH SPECIES
Section 12 010 077 - RULE ESTABLISHING A LIST FOR PROHIBITED, RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED FISH SPECIES

Universal Citation: VT Code of Rules 12 010 077

Current through February, 2024

Section 1.0 Authority

1.1 This rule is adopted pursuant to 10 V.S.A § 4081(a) which provides that the protection, propagation, control, management, and conservation of fish, wildlife, and furbearing animals in this state is in the interest of the public welfare and that the safeguarding of these valuable resources for the people of the state requires a constant and continual vigilance, and in accordance with

1.2 10 V.S.A. § 4605(c) provides that the commissioner may, by rule, adopt a list of fish which, if introduced into Vermont waters, have the potential to cause harm to the fish population of the state.

Section 2.0 Purpose

2.1 It is the purpose of this regulation to carry out the mandate of the Vermont General Assembly to control through a permit program the importation and possession of fish species as provided in 10 V.S.A. § 4605(c) to guard the health of Vermont's fish populations by preventing the introduction of fish species that could have the potential to cause harm to fish populations of the state.

Section 3.0 Definitions

3.1 "Fish" means all live fresh- and salt-water fish species including viable fish ovum and viable fish semen.

3.2 "Transgenic Fish" means any fish that possesses a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology. This definition does not include diploid, triploid, or hybrid-crossed fish.

3.3 "Department" means Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

3.4 "Commissioner" means Fish and Wildlife Department Commissioner.

3.5 "Person" means an individual, association, corporation, partnership, or municipality, or other entity.

3.6 "State" means State of Vermont.

Section 4.0 Importation and Possession of Live Fish

4.1 This rule establishes a list by which the importation and possession of fish shall be regulated.

4.1.1 Prohibited Fish Species Section: Fish species for which importation into or possession within Vermont shall be prohibited except through a Commissioner's Prohibited Fish Species Permit. This section of the list primarily includes species not native to the state that are known to pose a threat to Vermont 's fish populations and or aquatic ecosystems.

4.1.2 Restricted Fish Species Section: This section of the list primarily includes native and certain naturalized fish species which although they may not require a Commissioner's Prohibited Fish Species Permit as set out in 4.1.1 above, may be regulated through other department permits including but not limited to 10 V.S.A. § 4605(b) Importation of Fish; 10 V.S.A. § 5403, Protection of Endangered and Threatened Species; and 10 V.S.A. Appen. § 122, Fish Regulations.

4.1.3 Unrestricted Fish Species Section: This section of the list primarily includes species commonly imported into the state for the pet or aquarium trade and are currently considered to pose minimal or no risk to Vermont fish populations. A Commissioner's Prohibited Fish Species Permit is not required to import or possess these species. Additionally, any species not on the Unrestricted, Restricted and Prohibited lists and which natural global distribution range occurs entirely within the bounds of the 300 north latitude and the 300 south latitude may be imported or possessed in Vermont without prior review and approval of the commissioner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an importation permit is required for any fish brought into the state which are intended to be introduced into waters of the state as per 10 V.S.A. 4605(b), and no fish shall be introduced into any waters except private ponds lacking access to other waters of the state as per 10 V.S.A. 4605(a).

4.2 All fish species not included in the sections of the list covered by 4.1.2 (Restricted Fish Species Section) and 4.1.3 (Unrestricted Fish Species Section) shall also be considered to be Prohibited Fish Species.

4.3 The importation and/or possession of transgenic fishes shall be prohibited unless explicitly included in the Unrestricted Fish Species section.

Section 5.0 Review, Revision & Maintenance of List

5.1 The commissioner may review and revise the species contained within the list. The public may submit any species of fish for consideration of inclusion in this list by submitting a written request with relevant documentation.

5.2 The department shall maintain an up-to-date list of prohibited, restricted, and unrestricted fish species and shall make this list available on the department's website, from the department's headquarters and from the department's district offices.

Section 6.0 Permits

6.1 Prohibited Fish Species Permits. The commissioner may issue a Commissioner's Prohibited Fish Species Permit allowing importation and possession of a fish on the Prohibited Fish Species section of the list.

6.1.1 In issuing a permit, the Commissioner shall consider:

(a) How the fish are being kept in a controlled environment including but not limited to artificial tanks without inflow or outflow, and; without connection to waters of the state;

(b) Whether the purpose is for research;

(d) Whether it is for public purpose;

(e) Whether there are available alternatives;

(f) The health of native or naturalized fish species.

6.1.2 A permit issued under this subsection shall include conditions that ensure the health and safety of Vermont's fish population.

6.2 Restricted Fish Species Permits. Fish in the Restricted Fish Species section do not require a Commissioner's Prohibited Fish Species Permit. However, as noted in paragraph 4.1.2 above, other department permits may be required to import and/or possess fish listed in the Restricted Fish Species section.

Section 7.0 Permit Applications

7.1 Applications for Commissioner's Prohibited Fish Species Permits shall be complete and submitted to the department on an application form to be provided by the department. For an application to be considered complete, it shall be legible, shall contain all information requested by the department, shall contain no false statements, shall bear the applicant's official signature and shall be accompanied by the required application fee.

7.2 With regard to all fish, the applicant shall present to the department, as a requirement of the permit, written fish health inspection reports as the department may specify, and invoices clearly indicating the source of the fish to be imported. Fish health inspection reports shall be made by a qualified fish health inspector acceptable to the department.

Section 8.0 Inspections

8.1 Persons holding a Commissioner's Prohibited Fish Species Permit shall allow inspection at reasonable times of their premises, facilities, records, and fish by the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designee(s).

8.2 The issued permit shall be available for inspection by the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designee(s).

Section 9.0 Quarantine, Destruction or Sterilization Where Disease and/or Harmful Species are Present

9.1 The department may require a period of quarantine and treatment, the destruction of fish, and/or order remedial action if necessary, if a harmful fish species and/or fish pathogen is confirmed. This shall occur at the expense of the owner.

LIST OF PROHIBITED, RESTRICTED, AND UNRESTRICTED FISH SPECIES

Prohibited Fish Species List.

Designation	Scientific name (genus & species)	Common name(s)
Prohibited	Alosa pseudoharengus	Alewife
Prohibited	Aristichthys nobilis	Bighead carp
Prohibited	Carassius carassius	Crucian carp
Prohibited	Carassius gibelio	Prussian carp
Prohibited	Carassius cuvieri	Japanese (white) crucian carp
Prohibited	Channa spp.	Asian snakehead
Prohibited	Clarias batrachus	Walking catfish
Prohibited	Ctenopharyngodon idella	Grass carp
Prohibited	Dorosoma cepedianum	Gizzard shad
Prohibited	Gambusia spp.	Mosquito fish
Prohibited	Gymnocephalus ceruus	Ruffe
Prohibited	Hypophthalmichthys harmandi	Large scale silver carp
Prohibited	Hypophthalmichthys molitrix	Silver carp
Prohibited	Leuciscus idus	Ide, orfe
Prohibited	Misgurnus anguillicaudatus	Oriental weather loach
Prohibited	Monopterus albus	Asian swamp eel
Prohibited	Mylopharyngodon piceus	Black carp
Prohibited	Neogobius melanostomus	Round goby
Prohibited	Parachanna spp.	African snakehead
Prohibited	Proterorhinus marmoratus	Tubenose goby
Prohibited	Rhodeus sericeus	Bitterling
Prohibited	Sander lucioperca	Zander
Prohibited	Scardinius erythrophthalmus	Rudd
Prohibited	Tinca tinca	Tench

Restricted Fish Species List.

Designation	Scientific Name (genus & species)	Common name(s)
Restricted	Acipenser fulvescens1	Lake sturgeon1
Restricted	Alosa aestivalis	Blueback herring
Restricted	Alosa sapidissima	American shad
Restricted	Ambloplites rupestris	Rock bass
Restricted	Ameiurus natalis	Yellow bullhead
Restricted	Ameiurus nebulosus	Brown bullhead
Restricted	Amia calva	Bowfin
Restricted	Ammocrypta pellucida1	Eastern sand darter1
Restricted	Anguilla rostrata	American eel
Restricted	Aplodinotus grunniens	Freshwater drum
Restricted	Carpiodes cyprinus	Quillback
Restricted	Catostomus catostomus2	Longnose sucker2
Restricted	Catostomus commersoni2	White sucker2
Restricted	Coregonus artedi	Cisco or lake herring
Restricted	Coregonus clupeaformis	Lake whitefish
Restricted	Cottus bairdi	Mottled sculpin
Restricted	Cottus cognatus	Slimy sculpin
Restricted	Couesius plumbeus	Lake chub
Restricted	Culeas inconstans	Brook stickleback
Restricted	Cyprinella spiloptera	Spotfin shiner
Restricted	Cyprinus carpio	Common carp, mirror carp, koi
Restricted	Esox americanus americanus	Redfin pickerel
Restricted	Esox lucius	Northern pike
Restricted	Esox masquinongy	Muskellunge
Restricted	Esox niger	Chain pickerel
Restricted	Etheostoma flabellare	Fantail darter
Restricted	Etheostoma olmstedi	Tessellated darter
Restricted	Exoglossum maxillingua	Cutlips minnow
Restricted	Fundulus diaphinus	Banded killifish
Restricted	Hiodon tergisus	Mooneye
Restricted	Hybognathus hankinsoni	Brassy minnow
Restricted	Hybognathus regius	Eastern silvery minnow2
Restricted	Ichthyomyzon fossor1	Northern brook lamprey1
Restricted	Ichthyomyzon unicuspis	Silver lamprey
Restricted	Ictalurus punctatus	Channel catfish
Restricted	Labidesthes sicculus	Brook silverside
Restricted	Lampetra appendix1	American brook lamprey1
Restricted	Lepisosteus osseus	Longnose gar
Restricted	Lepomis auritus	Redbreast sunfish
Restricted	Lepomis gibbosus	Pumpkinseed
Restricted	Lepomis macrochirus	Bluegill
Restricted	Lepomis microlophus	Redear sunfish
Restricted	Lota lota	Burbot
Restricted	Luxilus cornutus2	Common shiner2
Restricted	Margariscus margarita	Pearl dace
Restricted	Micropterus dolomieui	Smallmouth bass
Restricted	Micropterus salmoides	Largemouth bass
Restricted	Morone americana	White perch
Restricted	Morone saxatilis	Striped bass
Restricted	Moxostoma anisurum	Silver redhorse
Restricted	Moxostoma macrolepidotum	Shorthead redhorse
Restricted	Moxostoma valenciennesi	Greater redhorse
Restricted	Notemigonus crysoleucas2	Golden shiner2
Restricted	Notropis atherinoides2	Emerald shiner2
Restricted	Notropis bifrenatus	Bridle shiner
Restricted	Notropis heterodon	Blackchin shiner
Restricted	Notropis heterolepis	Blacknose shiner
Restricted	Notropis hudsonius2	Spottail shiner2
Restricted	Notropis rubellus	Rosyface shiner
Restricted	Notropis stramineus	Sand shiner
Restricted	Notropis volucellus2	Mimic shiner2
Restricted	Noturus flavus1	Stonecat1
Restricted	Oncorhynchus mykiss	Rainbow trout
Restricted	Oreochromis spp.	Tilapia spp.
Restricted	Osmerus mordax2	Rainbow smelt2
Restricted	Perca flavescens2	Yellow perch2
Restricted	Percina copelandi1	Channel darter1
Restricted	Percina caprodes	Logperch
Restricted	Percopsis omiscomayas	Trout-perch
Restricted	Petromyzon marinus	Sea lamprey
Restricted	Phoxinus eos2	Northern redbelly dace2
Restricted	Phoxinus neogaeus	Finescale dace
Restricted	Pimephales notatus2	Bluntnose minnow2
Restricted	Pimaphales promelas2	Fathead minnow2
Restricted	Pomoxis annularis	White crappie
Restricted	Pomoxis nigromaculatus	Black crappie
Restricted	Prosopium cylindraceum	Round whitefish
Restricted	Rhinichthys atratulus2	Blacknose dace2
Restricted	Rhinichthys cataractae2	Longnose dace2
Restricted	Salmo salar	Atlantic salmon
Restricted	Salmo trutta	Brown trout
Restricted	Salvelinus fontinalis	Brook trout
Restricted	Salvelinus namaycush	Lake trout
Restricted	Sander canadense	Sauger
Restricted	Sander vitreum	Walleye
Restricted	Semotilus atromaculatus2	Creek chub2
Restricted	Semotilus corporalis2	Fallfish2
Restricted	Sarotheradon spp.	Tilapia spp.
Restricted	Tilapia spp.	Tilapia spp.
Restricted	Umbra limi	Central mudminnow
1Species subject to 10 V.S.A. $S5402, Endangered and Threatened Species Lists 2Species subject to 10 V.S.A. $S122, Section 5.0 Rule governing the taking, possessing, transporting, use and selling of baitfish.

Unrestricted Fish Species Section.

Families noted with an asterisk indicate the global distribution of some species may lie outside the unrestricted zone (300 North latitude-300 South latitude). Such species will be considered prohibited as per 4.1.1 of this rule.

Family		Genera
Ancestrorhynchidae	Smallscale pike characins	Ancestrorhynchus
Achiridae	American soles	Trinectes
Alestidae	African tetras	Phenacogrammus
Ambassidae	Asiatic glassfishes	Parambassis
Amphiliidae	Loach catfishes	Phractura
Anabantidae	Climbing gouramies	Ctenopoma, Microctenopoma
Anablepidae	Four-eyed fishes, one-sided livebearers, white-eye	Anableps
Anostomidae	Headstanders	Abramites, Anostomus, Laemolyta, Leporinus, Pseudanos
Aplocheilidae*	Rivulines	Aplocheilus
Apteronotidae	Ghost knifefishes	Apteronotus
Ariidae	Sea catfishes	Arius
Aspredinidae	Banjo catfishes	Bunocephalus
Auchenipteridae	Driftwood catfishes	Auchenipterichthys, Liosomadorus
Badidae	Blue Perch, Dwarf Chameleon Fish	Badis
Bagridae	Bagrid catfishes	Bagrichthys, Horabagrus, Mystus, Pseudomystus
Balitoridae	River loaches	Beaufortia, Gastromyzon, Schistura
Bedotiidae	Madagascar rainbowfishes	Bedotia
Belonidae	Needlefishes	Xenentodon
Callichthyidae	Callichthyd armored catfishes	Brochis, Callichthys, Corydoras, Dianema, Hoplosternum, Megalechis
Chacidae	Squarehead or angler catfish	Chaca
Characidae	Characins	Aphyocharax, Astyanax, Boehlkea, Boulengerella, Chalceus, Charax, Gymnocorymbus, Hasemania, Hemigrammus, Hyphessobrycon, Inpaichthys, Megalamphodus, Metynnis, Moenkhausia, Myleus, Mylossoma, Nematobrycon, Paracheirodon, Piaractus, Prionobrama, Pristella, Thayeria, Triportheus
Chilodontidae	Chilodus
Cichlidae	Cichlids	Aequidens, Altolamprologus, Amphilophus, Apistogramma, Archocentrus, Astronotus, Aulonocara, Cichla, Cichlasoma, Cleithracara, Crenicichla, Cyathopharynx, Cyphotilapia, Cyrtocara, Dimidiochromis, Etroplus, Geophagus, Gymnogeophagus, Haplochromis, Hemichromis, Herichthys, Heros, Herotilapia, Hypselecara, Iodotropheus, Julidochromis, Labeotropheus, Labidochromis, Laetacara, Lamprologus, Lepidolamprologus, Limnochromis, Lobochilotes, Maylandia, Melanochromis, Mesonauta, Mikrogeophagus, Nannacara, Neolamprologus, Nimbochromis, Parachromis, Pelvicachromis, Placidochromis, Protomelas, Pseudocrenilabrus, Pseudotropheus, Pterophyllum, Rhamphochromis, Satanoperca, Sciaenochromis, Steatocranus, Symphysodon, Telmatochromis, Thorichthys, Trematochromis, Tropheus, Variabilichromis, Vieja
Citharinidae	Lutefishes	Distichodus
Cobitidae*	Loaches	Botia, Lepidocephalichthys, Lepidocephalus, Pangio, Syncrossus, Yasuhikotakia
Ctenoluciidae	Pike-characids	Ctenolucius
Cynodontidae	Dogtooth characins	Rhaphiodon
Cyprinidae*	Minnows & carps	Balantiocheilos, Barbichthys, Barbonymus, Borasas, Carassius auratus, Crossocheilus, Cyclocheilichthys, Danio, Epalzeorhynchus, Esomus, Hampala, Labeo, Leptobarbus, Luciosoma, Oreichthys, Puntius, Puntioplites, Rasbora, Tanichthys, Trigostigma
Cyprinidae	Minnows & carps	Danio rerio (GloFish(R))
Cyprinodontidae*	Pupfishes	Jordanella floridae
Datnioididae	Datnioides
Doradidae	Thorny catfishes	Acanthodoras, Agamyxis, Amblydoras, Platydoras
Eleotridae	Sleepers	Butis, Oxyeleotris
Erethistidae	South Asian river catfishes	Hara
Erythrinidae	Trahiras	Hoplias
Gasteropelecidae	Freshwater hatchetfishes	Carnegiella, Gasteropelecus, Thoracocharax
Gobiidae*	Gobies	Brachygobius, Gnatholepis, Gobioides, Stigmatogobius
Gymnarchidae	Gymnarchus
Gyrinocheilidae	Algae eaters	Gyrinocheilus
Helostomatidae	Kissing gourami	Helostoma
Hemiodontidae	Hemiodus
Hemiramphidae	Halfbeaks	Dermogenys
Hypopomidae	Bluntnose knifefishes	Hypopygus, Steatogenys
Lebiasinidae	Pencilfishes	Nannostomus
Lepidosirenidae	Aestivating lungfishes	Lepidosiren
Loricariidae	Armored catfishes	Ancistrus, Baryancistrus, Cephalosilurus, Chaestostoma, Dekeyseria, Farlowella, Glyptoperichthys, Hemiancistrus, Hypancistrus, Hypstomus, Lasiancistrus, Leporacanthicus, Otocinclus, Panaque, Peckoltia, Pseudacanthicus, Pseudolithoxus, Pterosturisoma, Pterygoplichthys, Rineloricaria, Sturisoma
Mastacembelidae	Spiny eels	Macrognathus, Mastacembelus
Melanotaeniidae	Rainbowfishes, blue eyes	Chilathernia, Iriathernia, Melanotaenia
Mochokidae	Squeakers or upside-down catfishes	Synodontis
Monodactylidae	Moonyfishes of fingerfishes	Monodactylus
Mormyridae	Elephantfishes	Campylomormyrus, Gnathonemus, Mormyrops, Pollimyrus
Muraenidae	Moray eels	Gymnothorax
Nandidae	Asian leaffishes	Polycentropsis
Nothobranchiidae	African rivulines	Aphyosemion, Epipltys, Nothobranchius
Notopteridae	Featherbacks or knifefishes	Chitala, Xenomystus
Osphronemidae	Gouramies	Betta, Colisa, Spaerichthys, Trichogaster, Trichopsis
Osteoglossidae	Arowanas	Osteoglossum
Pangasiidae	Shark catfishes	Pangasius
Pantodontidae	Freshwater butterflyfish	Pantodon
Pimelodidae	Long-whiskered catfishes	Leiarius, Phractocephalus, Pimelodella, Pimelodus, Sorubim
Poeciliidae*	Poeciliids	Poecilia, Xiphophorus
Polycentridae	Leaffishes	Monocirrhus, Polycentrus
Polynemidae	Threadfins	Polynemus
Polypteridae	Bichirs	Erpetoichthys, Polypterus
Potamotrygonidae	River stingrays	Potamotrygon
Prochilodontidae	Flannel-mouth characiformes	Semaprochilodus
Pseudomugilidae	Blue eyes	Pseudomulgil
Pseudopimelodidae	Bumblebee catfishes, dwarf marble catfishes	Microglanis
Rhamphichthyidae	Sand knifefishes	Rhamphichthys
Scatophagidae	Scats	Scatophagus
Schilbeidae	Schilbid catfishes	Eutropiellus, Paraila, Schilbe
Siluridae	Sheatfishes	Kryptopterus, Ompok
Sternopygidae	Glass knifefishes	Eigenmannia
Synbranchidae	Swamp-eels	Synbranchus
Syngnathidae	Pipefishes, seahorses	Microphis
Telmatherinidae	Sailfin silversides	Marosatherina
Tetraodontidae	Puffers	Carinotetraodon, Tetraodon
Terapontidae	Grunters or tigerperches	Terapon
Toxotidae	Archerfishes	Toxotes

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