Sec. 08.02.19.08. Zebra Mussel-Free Certification

A. The purpose of this regulation is to ensure that live aquatic bait grown in an aquaculture operation and purchased from certified dealers is free of zebra mussels so that it will not adversely impact wild stocks of fish.

B. Definitions.

(1) In this regulation, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

(2) Terms Defined.

(a) "Live aquatic bait" means any organism grown in an aquaculture operation and which is kept alive in water for use as bait while fishing, and includes, but is not limited to:

(i) Tadpoles and other amphibians,

(ii) Minnows and other fish,

(iii) Clams and other mollusks,

(iv) Hellgrammites and other aquatic insects,

(v) Crayfish and other crustaceans, and

(vi) Leeches and other annelids.

(b) "Zebra mussel-free certification" means a certification issued by the Department that signifies that the:

(i) Volume of water containing certain live aquatic bait is free of any life stage of zebra mussels,

(ii) Live aquatic bait comes from a source that does not support zebra mussels, or

(iii) Water and bait have been treated in a manner that kills any life stage of zebra mussel.

C. Certification.

(1) Certification is available to dealers of live aquatic bait.

(2) Application shall be made on forms provided by the Department.

(3) The Department shall make available to the public, on request, a complete list of certified bait dealers.