RS 559.8 - Aquacultural production; licensing; fees; records
A. Every aquatic producer of a suitable species of aquatic livestock shall obtain a license from the department for each facility owned or operated by the aquatic producer. Each license shall be renewed annually. An application for a license shall be on a form furnished by the department and shall solicit such information as the department deems reasonably pertinent. A fee or structured fees for licenses, permits, applications for licenses, inspections, and other services required under this Part may be adopted by rule or regulation. The amount of any fees shall not generate revenues in excess of the total cost involved in providing the license, permit, or service.
B. Prior to approval and issuance of any license, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry shall inspect each facility subject to the license to determine that aquatic livestock at the facility are in compliance with the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this Part.
C. The criteria used by the department in inspecting the facility shall be established by rules and regulations. The criteria shall include the following:
(1) The species of aquatic livestock to be raised, maintained, or harvested at the facility.
(2) Whether the species is established in Louisiana.
(3) The physical location and size of the facility.
(4) The topography of the facility and the surrounding area.
(5) The approximate number of individual aquatic livestock at the facility.
(6) The facility's operational plan.
(7) The type of impoundment at the facility.
(8) The filtering or treatment system to be used to prevent the passage of eggs, larvae, juveniles, adults, waste, and unpurified water from the facility into areas or waters outside the facility.
(9) The emergency plan to become operational in the event of flooding or natural or manmade disasters.
(10) The most current best management practices for the type of facility.
D. Licensed aquatic producers shall maintain and preserve records as required by the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this Part.
Acts 2004, No. 865, §1, eff. July 12, 2004; Acts 2010, No. 743, §2A, eff. July 1, 2010.