SD16 - A Study of the Commonwealth's Aquaculture Permitting Programs


Executive Summary:
The SJR 339 Advisory Committee approached the topic of aquaculture permitting by asking the question "What are the major characteristics of an effective permitting system?" The Committee identified and discussed the following issues: consistency and clarity of the purpose of the permitting system, effectiveness in enforcement of regulations, ability to protect natural resources, amount of coordination cooperation between agencies and constituents, and the level of permit fees.

Once issues were identified, the Committee asked/answered the question "Is the Virginia system, as currently managed by VDGIF effective?" Finally, the Committee concluded by addressing the questions "Is there a continuing need for a permitting system?" and, also "should there be exemptions to the process?" In responding to the questions identified, there was no total consensus about the problems (disadvantages) or positives (advantages) of the current permitting system.

The following recommendations, found in the "Study Report - III" of the report, are offered as findings of the SJR339 Advisory Committee.

• Recommendation #1: No major problems were found with the current aquaculture permitting system administered by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF). VDGIF will continue to permit aquaculture facilities raising and stocking native and naturalized species in the Commonwealth.

• Recommendation #2: Exempt aquaculture facilities that produce and process native and naturalized trout or catfish for market sales (excluding in-state stockings). Catfish or trout must be raised in a VDACS "registered" aquaculture facility and cannot be shipped live, except for processing or out-or-state sales, without a permit from the VDGIF.

• Recommendation #3: All catfish and trout aquaculture facilities permitted by VDGIF will automatically be "registered" with VDACS. Permittees will not have to duplicate efforts to be "registered" with VDACS. (Note: Aquaculture facilities which qualify for exemption from VDGIF permits must still "register" with VDACS.)