Is Tilapia legal for me to own where I live?
Throughout most of the world, yes. Here in "The Land Of The Free", NOT IN EVERY STATE. Here we frown on any kind of Independence other than Financial.
When I was learning all about Tilapia, I did not know this. When I found out, I just about gave up. "I'm too old to go fight city hall" was my mentality. I found a friend, his name is Russ. He had a certification from the state as an "Aquaculture Facilty". He gave me the needed knowledge, encouragement, and hope.
ATTENTION TRAILBLAZERS!
A very nice lady who is working on setting up her Home Tilapia farm gave me a great idea!
In order to get the "protein Independence" ball rolling, I will discount one breeder colony by 75% to the first person in each state who goes through the motions of obtaining the necessary permit, 50% to the second, and 25% to the third. (plus the cost of shipping).
All I require is proof that you have obtained the permit for my particular breeds of Tilapia, and your story: how you did it, who did you contact, what forms you filled out, etc. Names, addresses, stuff like that. Afer I verify it, I'll post it here for other people in your state to follow. If my breeds of Tilapia (Oreochromis urolepis hornorum, and Oreochromis mossambicus) are not regulated in your state, be the first one to establish that fact and still get 75% off.(sorry, no 2nd or 3rd place here).
Florida
Sorry, I already did my homework!, I was awarded first prize. There is second and third still up for grabs, though.
Just go to www.floridaaquaculture.com, download the 1 or 2 page application, send it in with a check. You are requesting permission to possess "restricted Cichlidae". Wait for them to call you with an inspection date. The inspection should take all of 15 minutes. Be ready to describe how you are going to do this as a small home based business, and show how your property is above the flood plane, how your tanks are going to be protected from birds, and where you are going to dispose of the fish waste. (fertilizer for your plants, duh!). That's it.
Kudos to Gary near Leesburg ! He obtained his permit and claimed second prize !
Even more Kudos to Ken & Donna of D&K Aquaponics near Starke, FL. They claimed third prize! (first in the nation!)
New York
Brian is first prize winner !
He correctly pointed out that since a closed loop recirculating system is really the only possibility there, the state does not require a permit.
California
We have a 75% off first prize winner! (no permit required)
(anonymous) in Southern California pointed out Title 14, section 671 of the California Administrative Code. Under "Importation, Transportation, and Possesion of Wild Animals" there are 4 types of Tilapia mentioned, but not Mossambica or Hornorum.
She contacted: Department of Fish and Game
Serving Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties
Main Office:
4949 Viewridge Avenue
San Diego, CA 92123
Information: (858) 467-4201
FAX: (858) 467-4299
Regional Manager:
Ed Pert
Secretary
Dolores Duarte
(858) 467-2702
They can probably guide you with contacting other Counties.
North Carolina
First prize winner!!
Mel near Asheville said: A permit is needed in N.C.
Here is how to get one:
There is only one permit that is necessary to posses non-native fish in NC. (The address to mail it to is printed on the bottom of the form.) It can be downloaded here:
http://www.ncwildlife.org/fs_index_01_license.htm
Although there are names and numbers listed on the website above, the form will eventually show up on the desk of Kyle Briggs at the NC Wildlife Resources Commission: (919) 707-0220 - so questions could be directed to him (ask for his extension). He was helpful to me, though I can't be certain that he still works there.
If there are plans to sell fish for consumption, then an additional permit is necessary - from the NC Dept. of Agriculture, available for download here:
http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/aquaculture/license.htm
The contact there is Matt Parker: (252) 633-1477 -ask for his extension.
Second Prize goes to David near Durham! (50% off)
Georgia
Wally is first prize winner there! (no permit required)
All mr. cool there had to do was casually point out:
Arkansas
Shawn is first prize winner! (no permit required)
For information call Kenya or her boss Susan at the Game and Fish commission at 1-800-364-4263 Option 1.
Kansas
David is first prize winner (no permit required)
Private water fishing impoundment; exemptions. 32-974.
The owner or tenant having possession and control of a private water fishing impoundment and desiring to use it for the propagation or raising of fish for private use or to be sold or used commercially may do so without securing or holding any state license, permit or stamp and without being limited as to numbers, time or manner of taking fish from such impoundment.
www.kansasaquaculture.org is the website. run a search for "prohibited species list". Tilapia is not there.
indiana
Earl got the first prize there! (no permit required)
He went to www.in.gov/dnr_old/fishwild/fish/fishing/commfish.htm. Under "fish permit procedures" click on permit guidelines. Tilapia is on the approved species list, and since they will be kept in an aquarium, no permit is required.
He also points out that you will need a "fish hauler's and supplier's" permit if you produce live fish for sale, but it is free.
Missouri
Kendall is first prize winner! (No permit required, only "permission letter"). In this case there will be 2nd and 3rd prizes for getting "the letter".
How to raise Tilipia in missouri In steps.
1. you must write to the Department of Conservation P.O Box 180 Jefferson City Mo 65102 phone # 573-751-4115 Atnn DIRECTOR. You must ask for written permisson to raise Tilipia T. Hornorum, and T. Mossambica and explain how you will raise them.
Closed loop system is the only permitted way.
2. After written request has been submitted An Agent will contact you and request to see your system. Once they inspect your system and if they approve they will send you the approval letter.
More rules to be aware of:
-Must be inside home building or green house. Live organisms and eggs, parasites and diseases not possible to escape.
-Discharge of water is not permitted for gardens houseplants and or lawns. Must be discharged in a septic system.
-System may be aquaponic or recirculating system with no discharge of water.
-Please note city sewer is permitted to use for Water Changes.
Please note that no PERMIT is required But written permission is.......
Rhode Island
Rusty is first prize winner! (no permit required)
In his own words:
I have checked with Christine Dudley the Supervising Fresh Water Biologist at the Department of Environmental Management for the State of Rhode Island.
telephone: (401) 789-0281.
There is no regulation of the possession of tilapia in a closed system in the state of Rhode Island. They would not likely survive out of doors here anyway, but it is illegal to place them in a system which they could escape to the environment from. There are regulations regarding the sale of tilapia and other activities necessary to make a successful business of it.
Oklahoma
Carl and Mathew both win first prize (No permit required)
Each contributed a piece of the puzzle.
You can contact the Wildlife Department at (405)521-3721. They will tell you that you can keep tilapia, however, they can not be sold as 'live' bait. To sell them for food, one must be a licensed aquaculturist.
(c) Tilapia:
(1) The sale and use of all Tilapia species as bait is prohibited.
(2) The stocking of all Tilapia species in any heated-water reservoir
including Sooner, Konawa, and Boomer Reservoirs is prohibited.
(3) This shall not interfere with the sale of dead and or processed
Tilapia for human food or the sale or transport of Tilapia species for
the purpose of aquatic vegetation control in privately owned ponds.
[Source: Amended at 8 OK Reg 2005, eff May 13, 1991]
The website where this information was located- www.okcaa.org/articles/odwc.pdf Here is a link for the list of aquatic nuisance species- www.wildlifedepartment.com/nuisancespecies.htm Tilapia is not there.
Idaho
David won first prize! (No permit required)
Here is the contact info for Idaho>>>
1. I got the final answer from Dr. Debra Lawerence from the Dept of Agriculture 208-332-8500 If it's a private system, not on a waterway, nothing is required. If it's a commercial system (fish for sale), and not on a waterway, there is a 2 year commercial fish rearing license required, cost $25, and one inspection, but no specific requirements
2. Idaho fish and Game 208-334-3700 No requirement
3. Id. Wildelife dept/ fish 334-3791 No requirement
Michigan
Mario is first prize winner. (A permit is required).
Here's how to get it:
Begin process by going to state of Michigan's specific website
http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1569_16979_21263---,00.html . Find "
Facility and Research Permit Registration Application " form and fill out and send into provided address. After the state receives your application, they will contact you to schedule an physical inspection of the premise were you will be operating your hatchery (approx 30-45days from initial application). This inspection is completed by a licensed veterinarian send out on behalf of the state. The inspection time will vary depending on the size of your facility, but my inspection took about 45min. After the inspection, the inspection report is send to the state for final approval (takes another 30days), after the department of agriculture approves you, the entire application is sent to the D.E.Q. (department of environmental quality) the also need to give their approval, to make sure your facility will not threaten any natural ecosystems. Entire process took about 90 days, but state was very easy to work with, just like every other form of government slow and steady... Thanks and Good Luck...... Mario
Wisconsin
Joe is first prize winner ! (a permit is required)
I will need to register as a "fish farm".
It is not too complicated. The first page is a social security number request form. The second page is instructions, followed by two pages of basic questions about who you are, the type of fish, water source, number of tanks, ponds or raceways, and planned use of the fish.
I also found information that indicates that an importation permit along with a Fish Health Certificate may be required for bringing livestock or eggs into the state. There is a $90.00 non-refundable fee to obtain the importers permit. Apparently a copy of the permit must accompany incoming shipments.
Here is the a link for the permit application.
http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/ah/agriculture/animals/aqua/wynk/pdf/FishImportPermit.pdf.
NOTE: We went through with the "Fish Health Certificate". It has been filed and it is good for a year. I will renew it every year. If you want to import my fingerlings or breeder colonies into Wisconsin, you just need the fish farm permit and the importation permit which will be granted to you because they have my Certificate on file there.
Washington State
Keith near Spokane is first prize winner! (a permit is required)
He said:
One must fill out a state form called "Fish Transport Application/ Permit" from the Department of Fish and Wildlife and pay a $24 fee. I included with the form a cover letter covering the following points. Use of fish, where kept, the water source, distance to the closest stream, and name of the fish supplier. They also needed a form supplied by Edgar Sanchez. The final decision was made by Joan Thomas 360-902-2667.
Ohio
Joe from near chagrin Falls, OH is the first prize winner!
A permit is needed but it is very easy to obtain:
"The process here in Ohio is relatively straight forward. You send a request to the ODNR for a class A aquaculture permit,list the species, include $50 and you are all set. Here is the web site ->
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/tabid/6518/default.aspx" (just click on "Aquaculture" and then on "Aquaculture Class Aand B).
Alabama
Steve from near Huntsville has won first prize! (No permit required)
Here's what he found out:
Steven J. Rider (steve.rider@dcnr.alabama.gov) at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said no permits are required.
He suggested using a recirculative system but no permit is required if they are raised in ponds. He suggested if the ponds were near or connected to a public waterway that you should definitely contact him to make sure there aren't any additional requirements.
The Department of Agriculture and Industries at 334-240-7171 said a Food Safety Permit is required to sell tilapia as food.
This permit is $50/year and they can fax or mail the form to you.
You won't need anything else unless you process (clean, filet, etc.) the fish prior to sale. If you do then you'll need to contact USDA for a meat processing license.
The Department of Conservation at 334-242-3849 said no permits
are required to sell tilapia as livestock as long as they come from a private pond or recirculative system. If they come from
a public waterway though a Fish Dealer's License is required.
See folks? It may seem that an act of Congress is required in order for you to be able to be Protein independent. Not so!
disclaimer.
I am only trying to help, always take the time to research the regulations yourself.