Importing Aquatic Plants and Animals

Division 12, Chapter 7 of the Fish and Game Code deals with the importation of aquatic plants and animals into California.

Section 15600 prohibits any live aquatic plant or animal from being imported into this state by a registered aquaculturist without the prior written approval of the department pursuant to the regulations adopted by the commission.

The department cannot approve the importation of, or renew a permit to import, any anadromous fish or roe thereof listed into the Smith River watershed by a person unless that person had a permit or authorization approved before February 22, 1988.

Section 15601 states that a written application for the importation of a live aquatic plant or animal that is submitted in conformance with the procedural requirements established by the commission is deemed to be approved if it has not been denied within 60 days.

Section 15604 prohibits any facility constructed for the purpose of spawning, incubating, or raising of anadromous fish in the Smith River watershed from being exempt from any provision of the California Environmental Quality Act.

Section 15605 explains that nothing in this chapter prohibits the importation of Atlantic Salmon or the roe thereof, or the continued possession of Atlantic salmon or the roe therefrom which were lawfully imported or possessed on or before February 22, 1988, in the Smith River watershed under a written approval of the department.