Sec. 08.02.19.04. Classification of Nonnative Aquatic Organisms

A. A person may not import, transport, purchase, possess, propagate, sell, or release into State waters the following nonnative aquatic organisms:

(1) Fish species:

(a) Alabama bass (Micropterus hensalli);

(b) Asian horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus, Tachypleus gigas, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda);

(c) Asian swamp eel (Monoterus albus);

(d) Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis);

(e) Black carp (Mylopharynodon piceus);

(f) Candiru (Vandellia cirrhosa);

(g) Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis);

(h) Eurasian river ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus);

(i) Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella);

(j) Marbled crayfish (marmorkrebs) (Procambarus sp.);

(k) New Zealand Mudsnail (Potamopyrgus anitpodarum);

(l) Quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis);

(m) Red shiner (Notropis lutrensis, Cyprinella lutrensis);

(n) Round goby (Neogobius melanostomus);

(o) Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus);

(p) Rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus);

(q) Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix);

(r) Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus);

(s) Veined rapa whelk (Rapana venosa);

(t) Walking catfish (Clarius batrachus); and

(u) Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha); and

(2) Aquatic plant species:

(a) Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta); and

(b) Green Caulerpa seaweed (Caulerpa taxifolia).

B. A person may not transport the following nonnative aquatic organisms:

(1) Fish species:

(a) Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus);

(b) Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris);

(c) Green crab (Carcinus manenas);

(d) Japanese shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus);

(e) Mimic shiner (Notropis volucellus);

(f) Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii);

(g) Southern white river crayfish (Procambarus zonangulus); and

(h) Virile crayfish (Orconectes virilis); and

(2) Aquatic plant species:

(a) Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa);

(b) Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata);

(c) Parrot feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum, Myriophyllum brasiliense); and

(d) Water chestnut (Trapa natans).

C. A person may not import, transport, purchase, propagate, sell, or release into State waters the following nonnative aquatic organisms:

(1) Australian crayfish of genus Cherax (Cherax);

(2) Chinese mystery snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis, Viviparus malleatus); and

(3) Oriental weatherfish (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus).

D. Permit.

(1) A person may not import, transport, purchase, possess, propagate, or sell a nonnative aquatic organism listed in §A of this regulation, or transport a nonnative aquatic organism listed in §B of this regulation, or import, transport, purchase, propagate, or sell a nonnative aquatic organism listed in §C of this regulation, unless the person has been issued a permit by the Department, as specified in Natural Resources Article, §4-212 or 4-11A-02, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(2) A permit may be granted only if satisfactory proof is presented to the Department that the organism is free of a communicable disease.

(3) An application for the permit shall be filed with the Department not less than 60 days before the proposed date of importation.

(4) An application for an activity listed in §D(1) of this regulation that is in progress at the time of adoption of this regulation shall be filed within 60 days after the date of adoption of this regulation.

(5) A permitted nonnative aquatic organism may be held only in a secure facility from which escape into State waters is not possible.

(6) A permit is not required if:

(a) The species is being transported to the Department or another destination as the Secretary may direct:

(i) In a sealed container or dead; and

(ii) For purposes of species identification or reporting the presence of the species; or

(b) The specimen has been lawfully acquired dead and, in the case of plant species, all seeds are removed or otherwise secured in a sealed container or is in the form of herbaria or other preserved museum specimens.