R58-17-13. Importation of Aquatic Animals or Aquaculture Products Into Utah

  (A) Except as provided in Subsection (L), an official ENTRY PERMIT is required to import live aquatic animals or their gametes into Utah. This permit is in addition to the COR for operation of the facility or as otherwise specified in R58-17-4. The entry permit can be obtained at no charge by contacting the Department, Fish Health Program and providing the following information:

  (1) Name, address, phone number and COR number of importer.

  (2) Species, size and/or number of aquatic animals to be imported.

  (3) Name and health approval number of sources, origin of aquatic animals, transfer history, and approximate date of shipment.

  (4) For international shipments or an animal with international origins, a certificate of veterinary inspection from the source must be obtained by the importer indicating a negative record of testing by OIE reference labs for prohibited pathogens pursuant to R58-17-15(D)(2) and (3), a negative record of other OIE-listed pathogens affecting the aquatic animals to be imported, and that known nuisance species are not found in the water source. In addition, written authorization from the US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) for the importation must be included.

  (B) Each shipment of live aquatic animals must be authorized. A copy of the entry permit will be sent to the requesting party and a copy must accompany the shipment. The permit holder shall allow up to two weeks for the Department to verify the health approval status of the source and to verify authorized species status pursuant to R58-17-5.

  (C) All import shipments of live aquatic animals must originate from sources that have been health approved by the Department pursuant to R58-17-15(A)(2) and (B). A list of approved sources is maintained by the Department, but the list is not published due to frequent updates. Information on currently approved sources may be obtained by contacting the Department Fish Health Program.

  (D) All importations must be species that have been authorized by the Wildlife Board and the Division pursuant to R657-3, R657-59-16, and 4-37-105(1).

  (E) To import or sell live grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), the fish must be verified as being triploid (sterile) by the National Triploid Grass Carp Inspection and Certification Program. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service triploid verification form must be obtained from the supplier as required in R657-16-7. Both this form and the Department's statement verifying treatment or testing for Asian tapeworm must be on file with the Department prior to shipment or stocking of the fish. Copies of the entry permit, treatment or testing statement for Asian tapeworm, and triploid verification forms must accompany the fish during transit. The statement verifying treatment or testing is also required for all aquatic animal species that are known or reported hosts or carriers of the Asian tapeworm.

  (F) The State Veterinarian may require inspection, treatment or testing of any aquatic animal and plant species, including aquatic invasive species, water, vehicle, or container, in accordance with current scientific knowledge before importation.

  (G) Whole dead and eviscerated fresh or frozen salmonid fish or live aquatic animals may be imported into Utah for processing at a aquatic animal processing plant without an Entry Permit. Live salmonid fish may be imported into and transported within Utah for processing at a aquatic animal processing plant without an Entry Permit, but they must be killed upon release from the transport vehicle and may not be held live at the aquatic animal processing plant. Waste products, i.e., brine shrimp cysts, carcasses, viscera and waste water, must be incinerated, buried with "quick lime" (Calcium oxide), composted, digested, or disposed of by means acceptable to the Department to deter the spread of pathogens and non-native species pursuant to R657-3 by water or animals. The Department may apply the requirements in this subsection to other species of aquatic animals and pathogens if future needs arise.

  (H) Placement of dead aquatic animals, parts, or waste products from a aquatic animal processing plant, or live or dead aquatic animals from any facility into public waters is illegal. Proper disposal is the responsibility of the processor/owner/broker pursuant to R58-17-13(G).

  (I) All transport vehicles, importing aquatic animals imported into Utah or transporting them through Utah pursuant to R58-17-14(C), must have proper documentation and are subject to inspection. The lack of proper documentation and/or the findings of an inspection may result in entry denial, fines, or other Department actions. All inspection costs will be born by the importer.

  (J) Aquatic animals may be imported and transported to a private fish pond by an out-of-state source, approved by the Department, or by an aquaculture facility representative with a current COR by following requirements in section 4-37-204. The approved or licensed facility representative and the private fish pond representative shall sign and forward receipts pursuant to R58-17-17 (D).

  (L) An import permit or certificate of veterinary inspection is not required to import a live marine aquatic animal into the state, provided it is:

  (1) imported and possessed for the singular purposes of immediate human consumption;

  (2) possessed no longer than 30 days from the date of importation;

  (3) acquired from a lawful source and documentation of purchase is retained;

  (4) not released in any water source, including sewer systems; and

  (5) imported and possessed in compliance with applicable state and federal laws, including the importation and possession requirements in R657-3-11(8).