Current through September 21, 2024
(a) If at any time an AIS of concern or
pathogen of concern is known or suspected to be present at the private fish
hatchery or water supply, the Chief of Fisheries may rescind designation as a
Department approved private fish hatchery.
(b) If a pathogen of concern is suspected
present at the private fish hatchery or in the water supply, all fish, fish
eggs and fish gametes shall be confined to their rearing units and no fish,
fish eggs or fish gametes shall be transferred from, to or within the facility
until confirmatory sampling has been completed, reasonable action has been
determined and the Chief of Fisheries has authorized the hatchery to resume
normal operations or reinstated designation as a Department approved private
fish hatchery.
(c) Upon
confirmation of the finding of a pathogen of concern, the hatchery owner shall
immediately initiate reasonable action. Fish killed by a pathogen of concern
shall be disposed of as prescribed by the Department.
(i) Reasonable action for emergency
prohibited fish pathogens or prohibited fish pathogens shall include immediate
destruction of all lots at the facility by incineration or burial (deep burial
utilizing lime). Chemical disinfection of said facility shall then be planned
and executed as prescribed in the reasonable action from the Chief of
Fisheries.
(ii) Reasonable action
for a regulated pathogen may include, but shall not be limited to, destruction
of the infected lots or quarantine and treatment with the best available
technology to eradicate the pathogen.
(A) Two
(2) consecutive inspections shall be conducted within a six (6) month period at
least one (1) month apart to determine that there is no occurrence of the
regulated pathogen prior to stocking any fish, fertilized eggs or
gametes.
(B) Eggs taken from
broodstocks infected with Enteric Redmouth, Furunculosis or Whirling Disease
that have been disinfected per Department protocol may be reared, shipped or
sold if approved in writing by the Chief of Fisheries.
(C) Non-infected lots may be stocked, with
written permission by the Chief of Fisheries, only into waters that would pose
no threat to naturally reproducing fish populations (i.e., isolated "stock
ponds" with no outlet or effluent).
(D) Stocking of infected lots into the waters
of this state shall be prohibited.
(iii) Reasonable action for a
Reportable/notifiable pathogen may include, but shall not be limited to,
destruction of the infected lots or quarantine and treatment with the best
available technology to eradicate the pathogen. Follow up testing may be
required to confirm the pathogen has been eradicated.
(d) If an AIS of concern is suspected
present, no fish, fish eggs or fish gametes shall be transferred from the
facility until confirmatory sampling has been completed, reasonable action has
been determined and the Chief of Fisheries has authorized the hatchery to
resume normal operations or reinstated designation as a Department approved
private fish hatchery.
(e) Upon
confirmation of the finding of an AIS of concern, the hatchery owner shall
immediately initiate reasonable action. The Department may require that all or
portions of the facility no longer be used as part of the fish hatchery if
eradication of an AIS is not possible.
(i)
Reasonable action for emergency prohibited AIS shall include immediate
destruction of all fish at the facility. Complete disinfection and AIS
eradication from the facility shall then be planned and executed on a
Department approved schedule.
(A) The
Department shall determine alternative reasonable action for emergency
prohibited AIS for private fish hatcheries licensed primarily for tropical or
ornamental fish if the AIS was confined to a portion of the aquaculture
facility on an isolated water supply that does not contact other portions of
the facility. The destruction of fish shall be limited to those exposed to the
infected water supply.
(ii) Reasonable action for prohibited AIS may
include, but shall not be limited to, quarantine or destruction of fish in the
infested portions of the facility. Disinfection and AIS eradication from the
facility shall then be planned and executed on a Department approved schedule
as prescribed in the reasonable action from the Chief of Fisheries.
(iii) Reasonable action for regulated AIS may
include, but shall not be limited to, eradication or containment of AIS and
quarantine or destruction of fish in the infested portions of the
facility.
(iv) Follow up testing
shall be required to confirm the AIS of concern has been eradicated or
adequately contained.
(f) The Chief of Fisheries may require a
biosecurity plan prior to authorizing a hatchery to resume normal operations or
reinstating designation as a Department approved private fish
hatchery.
