www.icecubetopper.com/pdfs/docs/ar/u_ar/PDF/FSA-9055.pdf
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 near Merrillville won 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 near Springfield 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 near providence 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 near Sterling Heights 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).
2nd prize goes to David and Mary near Hicksville!! (50% off)
Alabama
Steve 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.
New Jersey
Bill gets the first prize! (NO PERMIT REQUIRED)!
Bill said:
Fish and Wildlife has informed me that i do not need a permit for a contained system
The person i spoke to at NJ Fish and Wildlife was Mark Boriek. Here is a link from the state of new jersey. It has all the regulations from every NJ state agancy regarding aquaculture.
The phone number for NJ Fish and Wildlife is 609-292-8642.
Pennsylvania
Jason wins first prize!
(An "artificial propagation license" is required)
"In Pa to acquire an artificial propagation license which is required you must contact The Department Of Agriculture, Mary Dates, At 717-783-5301 and she will send you the application to fill out. After you submit the application when approved you pay $150.00 and receive your license the whole process is 4-6 weeks."
Virginia
bob near Midlothian won first prize!
A permit is required. He said:
We just got our permits to get tilapia. The procedure in Virginia is to fill out 2 forms:
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND INLAND FISHERIES
APPLICATION TO POSSESS, PROPAGATE, BUY AND SELL
CERTAIN WILDLIFE IN VIRGINIA
(Under Authority of § 29.1-412, § 29.1-103, §29.1-417 of the Code of Virginia, 4 VAC 15-20-200)
APPLICATION PERMIT
TO IMPORT CERTAIN NON-NATIVE (EXOTIC) WILDLIFE INTO VIRGINIA
(Under Authority of VR 325-01-2, § 29.1-542 of the Code of Virginia)
These can both be found on the web sites listed.
After filling out the forms, and sending in your money, the department contacts you for a visit to your facility to see if the species in question will be able to escape into the wild. Our facility was approved with no restrictions.
Kevin near Chesapeake wins 2nd place! (50% off)
Windy near Alexandria claims 3rd place! (25% off)
Montana
Charles near Hamilton wins first prize! NO PERMIT REQUIRED
"I decided to do my own research into the law. And here is what i found. application 87-3-210 permit to import fish says " no permit required for fish tanks" private or business. Please be responsible with tilapia and all other imported fish in Montana they have been seen in the snake river in Montana. I spoke with Montana fish wildlife & parks 406 444 2535 permitting talked to Tim Feldner and all is good."
Minnesota
Jim wins first prize!
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/invasives/laws.html#prohibited
Prohibited invasive species
Certain invasive species that can threaten natural resources and their use have been designated as prohibited invasive species in Minnesota. It is unlawful (a misdemeanor) to possess, import, purchase, transport, or introduce these species except under a permit for disposal, control, research, or education. The prohibited invasive species in Minnesota include the following and any hybrids, cultivars, or varieties of the species listed below:
NO Tilapia listed!!!!
Regulated invasive and unlisted nonnative species
Regulated and unlisted invasive species are legal to possess, sell, buy, and transport, but they may not be introduced into a free-living state, such as being released or planted in public waters. The regulated invasive species are:
Fish
alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)*
carp, koi (Cyprinus carpio)*
goldfish (Carassius auratus)*
rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax)*
tilapia (Oneochromis, Sartheradon, and Tilapia spp.)
Tennessee
Jordan from near Nashville wins first prize! (permit required)
Here is his story:
It is legal to raise tilapia mossambica already along with nilotica and blue tilapia I believe, however, the only hang-up was the T. Hornorum male. So in order to be approved to grow this specific breed I had to request an “experimental aquaculture permit.” Call the TWRA and request the permit. Once you obtain the permit, you then need to purchase a fish dealers license which costs $50. This can be purchased anywhere fishing licenses are sold.
Contact:
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)
J. Eric Ganus
Fisheries Division Biologist
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
PO Box 40747
Nashville, TN 37204
Office: (615) 837-4255
Fax: (615) 781-6667
ILLINOIS
Anthony wins First prize! (75% off). A permit is required.
For Illinois The Contact Person is:
Matt O'Hara
Natural Resources Specialist
217-785-9742 217-785-9742
State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources
ORC-Fisheries
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702-1271
Fill out an Aquaculture Permit Application
Pay $50
Tilapia Breed is not on the approved species list. Just need to list the breed on the application and Matt O'Hara will inspect the facility for proper filtration and drainage since the breed is not on the approval list.
WYOMING
Misty near Cheyenne wins first prize! A permit is required
Wyoming Game and Fish
Here is a link that will take you to the webpage that has the "Private Fish Hatchery License Application" form.
http://gf.state.wy.us/wildlife/hunting/formsapps/Commercial/index.asp
It costs $182 plus they want a copy of a surety bond in the amount of $500.
The phone number of the man at the game and fish that was very helpful to me is (307)745-5180 (307)745-5180 ext. 237
ARIZONA
First prize goes to Kevin. He said:
I've been in contact with Don Mitchell at the:
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Region V - Tucson
555 N. Greasewood Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85745
520-628-5376
He directed me to the official government page showing that tilapia are not a restricted species in Arizona, which can be viewed here:
http://www.azgfd.gov/eservices/special_licenses/pdfs/rules/R12-4-406.pdf
However, because they are coming from out of state he had me send in an Aquatic Wildlife Stocking Permit, for which there is no fee. The instructions can be viewed here:
http://www.azgfd.gov/eservices/special_licenses/aquatic_stocking.shtml
The above page contains a link to the permit form, Form 2710-A, which can be viewed/downloaded here:
http://www.azgfd.gov/eservices/special_licenses/pdfs/2710-A.pdf
Second prize (50% off) goes to Jerid near Tucson, AZ !
Kentucky
This is a very special first prize. Rich contacted me on January 8, 2009 interested in aquaculture as a career. After 2 years of working in related fields and going to school
he is the proud owner of Smittycat's Finfish Depot in Irvine, KY.
Way to go rich!!
In Kentucky, a Commercial Live Bait and Fish Dealer's license is required of anyone wanting to raise and sell fish of any kind, and a transportation permit (included with license fees) is required if you deliver. There is a $50.00 fee and all Species of fish to be raised/sold must be listed on the application available at: http://fw.ky.gov/pdf/commerciallicapp.pdf The whole process only took about a week to complete.