Importation of Live Aquatic Plants and Animals for Research Purposes
Summary
SCH Number
2024121146
Public Agency
California Fish and Game Commission
(CDFGC)
Document Title
Importation of Live Aquatic Plants and Animals for Research Purposes
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/26/2024
Document Description
The purpose of the project is to specify the process for importing live aquatic plants or animals by a registered aquaculturist solely for the purpose of research, including when a disease or pathogen has been detected in a shipment prior to importation. The project addresses gaps in existing regulations where there is no mechanism allowing registered aquaculturists to import and conduct research on aquatic plants or animals that are known to have a disease or pathogen prior to shipment by amending Section 236, Title 14, California Code of Regulations. The amendments specify that importing live aquatic plants or animals for the purpose of research will be subject to approval and permit conditions specified by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Additionally, the amendments restrict importation to closed-system facilities that prevent release, and with no intent to outplant or offer for sale. The proposed changes will serve as an avenue for facilitating further research of diseases in controlled environments.
Contact Information
Name
David Christopher Haug JR
Agency Name
California Fish and Game Commission
Job Title
Regulatory Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Regions
Statewide
Other Location Info
Statewide applicable regulations
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 6, Section 15306, Title 14, California Code of Regulations
Reasons for Exemption
The Class 6 exemption is related to projects for basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities that do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. The exemption applies to this project because the amended regulations will specify the process for importing live aquatic plants or animals by a registered aquaculturist solely for the purpose of research, including when a disease or pathogen has been detected in the shipment prior to importation. The regulations will limit the use of importation to closedsystem facilities that prevent release, and with no intent to outplant or offer for sale. The registered aquaculturist will be required to maintain all the aquatic plants or animals identified in the permit in a fully closed system that does not have an outlet into the waters of the state.
There is currently no mechanism to allow registered aquaculturists to import and conduct research on aquatic plants or animals that are known to have a disease or pathogen prior to shipment. In the interest of addressing this gap in regulations, with allowances made for catastrophic diseases (and other disease categories), and allowing research under safe and prescribed conditions, the Commission determined that the amendment was necessary and will not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. The Commission’s adoption of the regulations is an activity that is the proper subject of CEQA’s Class 6 categorical exemption.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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