• Source Hatchery—Fingerlings and other juvenile animals obtained for growout
at an aquaculture facility in the EEZ should only be obtained from a hatchery
located in the U.S. All broodstock used for spawning at a hatchery supplying
fingerlings or other juvenile animals should be certified by the hatchery owner
as having been marked or tagged (e.g., dart or internal wire tag).
• Health Certificate—Prior to stocking fish the applicant should provide NMFS a
copy of an animal health certificate signed by an aquatic animal health expert
certifying the fish have been inspected and are visibly healthy and the source
population tests negative World Organization of Animal Health
(OIE) pathogens specific to the cultured species or additional pathogens identified in the National Aquatic Animal Health Plan. The process should be
repeated with each new stocking event.
• Broodstock Collection—At least 30 days before each time a permittee or the
permittee’s designee intends to harvest broodstock from the Gulf, including state
waters, they are required to submit a request for harvest to the RA. The request
should include information on the number, size and species to be harvested, the
methods, gear, and vessels used in capturing, holding, and transporting broodstock, the date and specific location of intended harvest, and the location of
where the broodstock would be delivered. If the harvest is approved, the permittee would be notified by the RA and required to submit a report within
15 days of the date of harvest summarizing the number, size, and species harvested and the location where the broodstock were captured.
• Stock Genetics—NMFS may sample cultured animals to determine genetic
lineage. If cultured animals. If cultured animals are determined to be genetically
modified or transgenic, then NMFS would order the removal of all these cultured animals.
• System Evaluation—Aquaculture systems (e.g., cages or net pens) used for
growing fish would be evaluated by the RA on a case-by-case basis. The
structural integrity and ability of proposed systems to withstand physical
stresses associated with major storm events (e.g., hurricanes) would be reviewed
by the RA, using engineering analyses, computer and physical oceanographic
models, or other required documentation.
• Risk Assessment—The RA will evaluate the potential risks of proposed aquaculture systems to Essential Fish Habitat, endangered or threatened species,
marine mammals, wild fish stocks, public health, or safety. Any system
approved for use should be marked with a minimum of one properly functioning
locating device (e.g., GPS device) in the event that the allowable system is
damaged or lost. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard requires structures be marked
with lights and signals to ensure compliance with private aids to navigation.
• Facility Separation—No aquaculture facility should be sited within (3 km) of
another facility to minimize transmission of pathogens between facilities.
• Restricted Zone—A Restricted Zone will be established for each aquaculture
facility to afford additional protection to an operation’s equipment and systems,
and increase safety by reducing potential encounters with fishing vessels.
Restricted access zone boundaries should be clearly marked with a floating
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201
at an aquaculture facility in the EEZ should only be obtained from a hatchery
located in the U.S. All broodstock used for spawning at a hatchery supplying
fingerlings or other juvenile animals should be certified by the hatchery owner
as having been marked or tagged (e.g., dart or internal wire tag).
• Health Certificate—Prior to stocking fish the applicant should provide NMFS a
copy of an animal health certificate signed by an aquatic animal health expert
certifying the fish have been inspected and are visibly healthy and the source
population tests negative World Organization of Animal Health
(OIE) pathogens specific to the cultured species or additional pathogens identified in the National Aquatic Animal Health Plan. The process should be
repeated with each new stocking event.
• Broodstock Collection—At least 30 days before each time a permittee or the
permittee’s designee intends to harvest broodstock from the Gulf, including state
waters, they are required to submit a request for harvest to the RA. The request
should include information on the number, size and species to be harvested, the
methods, gear, and vessels used in capturing, holding, and transporting broodstock, the date and specific location of intended harvest, and the location of
where the broodstock would be delivered. If the harvest is approved, the permittee would be notified by the RA and required to submit a report within
15 days of the date of harvest summarizing the number, size, and species harvested and the location where the broodstock were captured.
• Stock Genetics—NMFS may sample cultured animals to determine genetic
lineage. If cultured animals. If cultured animals are determined to be genetically
modified or transgenic, then NMFS would order the removal of all these cultured animals.
• System Evaluation—Aquaculture systems (e.g., cages or net pens) used for
growing fish would be evaluated by the RA on a case-by-case basis. The
structural integrity and ability of proposed systems to withstand physical
stresses associated with major storm events (e.g., hurricanes) would be reviewed
by the RA, using engineering analyses, computer and physical oceanographic
models, or other required documentation.
• Risk Assessment—The RA will evaluate the potential risks of proposed aquaculture systems to Essential Fish Habitat, endangered or threatened species,
marine mammals, wild fish stocks, public health, or safety. Any system
approved for use should be marked with a minimum of one properly functioning
locating device (e.g., GPS device) in the event that the allowable system is
damaged or lost. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard requires structures be marked
with lights and signals to ensure compliance with private aids to navigation.
• Facility Separation—No aquaculture facility should be sited within (3 km) of
another facility to minimize transmission of pathogens between facilities.
• Restricted Zone—A Restricted Zone will be established for each aquaculture
facility to afford additional protection to an operation’s equipment and systems,
and increase safety by reducing potential encounters with fishing vessels.
Restricted access zone boundaries should be clearly marked with a floating
9 Regulation and Permitting of Standalone …
201