§12509. Permit to import live freshwater fish or eggs

1.  Permit required.  Except as otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part, a person may not introduce, import or transport any live fish or gametes into the State or receive or have in that person's possession fish or gametes so introduced, imported or transported without a valid permit issued under this section.

A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime, except that, notwithstanding Title 17-A, section 1704, the fine may not be less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000.

[PL 2019, c. 113, Pt. C, §20 (AMD).]

2.  Issuance.  The commissioner may grant permits to introduce, import or transport any live fish or gametes into the State or to receive or have in possession fish or gametes so introduced, imported or transported if the commissioner determines that the species does not pose an unreasonable risk to any species of fish or other organism after evaluating fish health, habitat and population management issues. The commissioner may not adopt rules or issue permits governing any aspect of either the commercial aquaculture of Atlantic salmon when intended for use in commercial aquaculture in coastal waters or the Atlantic salmon restoration program.

[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

3.  Application.  Importers shall, when requesting a permit issued pursuant to subsection 2, provide the commissioner with the following information:

A. The number and species to be imported;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

B. The name and address of the source;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

C. A statement from a fish health inspector certified by the American Fisheries Society, a fish pathologist certified by the American Fisheries Society or a licensed accredited veterinarian, certifying that the fish or gametes are from sources that show no evidence of viral hemorrhagic septicemia, infectious pancreatic necrosis, infectious hematopoietic necrosis, Myxosomo cerebralis or other diseases that may threaten fish stocks within the State; and   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

D. Other professionally recognized tests or analyses, including evaluation of fish health, habitat or population management issues that the commissioner may require by rule to ensure that the species will not pose an unreasonable risk to any species of fish or other organism.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

4.  Rules.  The commissioner may adopt rules allowing the possession and importation of certain species of tropical fish and goldfish without a permit, for aquarium purposes only, if the commissioner determines that the species does not pose an unreasonable risk to any species of fish or other organism after evaluating fish health, habitat and population management issues. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 655, §B256 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 655, §B422 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 113, Pt. C, §20 (AMD).