§ 71a.6. Fish health certificate requirements.
(a) A fish health certificate may be required, as specified in subsection (b), for fish being imported into this Commonwealth and shall certify fish intending to be introduced, place or stocked in waters of this Commonwealth are free of specific diseases, pathogens or parasites determined by the Commission to be of a risk to the fishery interests of the Commonwealth. The Commission will consult with the Department for potential testing of dangerous transmissible diseases of fish.
(b) The Commission shall develop a Fish Health Inspection Protocol for Importation into the Commonwealth and Introduction into Waters of this Commonwealth (protocol). The Commission shall determine which diseases, pathogens or parasites are required for testing for species of fish intending to be introduced into waters of this Commonwealth. The Commission will consult with the Department for potential testing of dangerous transmissible diseases of fish. Fish health certification requirements and procedures shall be modified or updated by the Commission, as necessary. When updates to the protocol occur, the Commission shall publish the protocol as a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and notify the Department of the changes.
(c) The Commission may require testing for intrastate introduction, placement or stocking of fish, as specified in subsection (b), to prevent the introduction or spread of specific diseases, pathogens or parasites that pose a risk to the fishery interests of the Commonwealth. The Commission will consult with the Department for potential testing of dangerous transmissible diseases of fish.
(d) The following fish health requirements apply to the importation of fish into this Commonwealth:
(1) Fish and fish eggs imported into this Commonwealth must originate from sources with a copy of the fish health certification report for all applicable fish being stocked as indicated in the protocol, or a copy of the fish health certification report for the artificial propagation facility if the fish are from a facility that has been certified as having tested negative for all applicable fish pathogens, unless the fish meet one of the following requirements:
(i) The fish are being transported through this Commonwealth, the shipping container remains bio-secure in transit, and the fish are accompanied by documentation stating the point of origin of the fish and the location outside of this Commonwealth where they are to be delivered.
(ii) The fish are being transported to facilities located within this Commonwealth for testing and scientific purposes, the persons transporting the fish have taken adequate measures to prevent escape and to disinfect discharged water and equipment used in the transportation of the fish, and the fish are accompanied in transit by documentation stating the point of origin of the fish and the destination where they are to be delivered for testing or scientific purposes.
(iii) The fish are being transported to a slaughter facility, processing plant or restaurant within this Commonwealth, and the fish are accompanied in transit by documentation stating the point of origin of the fish and the destination where they are to be delivered for slaughter, processing or consumption.
(iv) The fish are dead, recreationally caught fish that are being transported solely for the purpose of human consumption or taxidermy.
(2) Specific testing requirements may vary depending on the species of fish, geographical location of the shipping facility or source, and the final designated end use of the fish being imported into this Commonwealth. The Commission’s protocol shall specify these requirements.
(3) Documentation of testing results shall remain with the fish during transport and produced upon request.
(e) The following fish health requirements apply to the introduction of fish into waters of this Commonwealth:
(1) Fish being introduced into waters of this Commonwealth must originate from sources that comply with the fish health inspection process described in the Commission’s protocol.
(2) Specific testing requirements may vary depending on the species, origin and final location of where the fish are being introduced into waters of this Commonwealth. The Commission’s protocol shall specify these requirements.
(3) When applicable, persons who have filed a Notice of Stocking with the Commission or their agent shall have in their possession, and present upon the request of an officer authorized to enforce the code:
(i) a copy of the fish health certification report for all applicable fish being stocked as indicated in the protocol and the Notice of Stocking; or
(ii) the Notice of Stocking and a copy of the fish health certification report for the artificial propagation facility if the fish are from a facility that has been certified as having tested negative for all applicable fish pathogens as indicated in the protocol and Notice of Stocking.
(f) The Commission grants a grace period for full implementation of the protocol through December 31, 2025. Beginning on January 1, 2026, the provisions of this section and the protocol shall be effective.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 71a.2 (relating to general); 58 Pa. Code § 71a.10 (relating to triploid grass carp); and 58 Pa. Code § 71a.13 (relating to bait fish importation and use).
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