Stocking Aquaculture in California

Division 12, Chapter 3 of the Fish and Game Code deals with aquaculture and stocking aquatic organisms.

Section 15200 authorizes the commission to regulate the placing of aquatic plants and animals in waters of the state. Movement of live fish between two registered aquaculturists who are registered for those species does not require a permit.

Section 15201 requires a permit to place fish on public or private land or water in any watershed above an established public or private fish hatchery. The department must deny the permit if there is evidence that water quality and potential disease transfers will be adverse to the established hatchery.

Section 15202 allows the commission to prohibit the placement of specific species of aquatic plants or animals in designated waters of the state. The prohibition may not include species that are found to be native or that are stocked by the state in a location where prohibition is contemplated.

Chapter 4 deals with brood stock acquisition. Section 15300 provides that aquatic plants or animals may be legally obtained for use as brood stock from all four of the specified sources.

Section 15301 allows the department to sell wild aquatic plants or animals, except rare, endangered, or fully protected species, for aquaculture use at a price approximating the administrative cost to the department for the collection or sale of the plants or animals. The commission sets this price.