WHAT CAN I STOCK OR RELEASE
INTO
Definitions
please...
“Maryland
Waters” means tidal and nontidal waters located within the boundaries of the
State, including that portion of the
“Fish” means finfish, crustaceans, mollusks, and amphibians and reptiles which
spend the majority of their life cycle in water and any part, egg, offspring,
or dead body of any of these species.
“Shellfish” includes live oysters, seed oysters, live hard-shell clams, and live soft-shell clams.
“Native” means having
historically lived, grown, and reproduced in
“Indigenous” means any fish species that naturally occurs in, or has been artificially introduced into, the waters of the State, and has established self-sustaining populations for at least 10 years.
“Aquaculture” means the commercial rearing of fish or aquatic plants.
A person needs a
permit from Maryland DNR Fisheries Service to import fish from other states
into
A person needs a
permit from the Maryland DNR Fisheries Service to stock any fish that is not
indigenous to
A person needs a
permit from the Maryland DNR Fisheries Service to stock any fish other than
bluegill sunfish, fathead minnows, golden shiners and channel catfish into
nontidal waters of the State.
The use of bait fish on a hook for the purpose of angling is permitted in all waters of the State except the Baltimore City Reservoirs. Bait origin is restricted in Loch Raven Reservoir, Prettyboy Reservoir and Liberty Reservoir.
All fish not indigenous to
An individual who leases oyster
bottom from the State may plant, cultivate, sow or protect only the native
oyster (Crassostrea virginica) that came from
Import, transport or introduce
into
Possess live northern snakeheads (Channa argus) and blotched snakeheads (Channa maculata),
including eggs of those species.
Import into
Introduce (stock, release) or import or possess
for introduction any live fish not indigenous to the waters of
Import or possess shellfish taken from waters
outside the waters of
All aquaculture activities require a permit from
the Department. Activities may include
the purchase, sale, possession, capture, production, breeding, transportation,
and processing of fish or aquatic plants.
A person shall not sell or breed live snakehead
fish of the Family Channidae in
Live finfish produced in an aquaculture facility
may not be stocked in
Exceptions to the above prohibitions may be
granted and must have prior written authorization from the Department. The request must be made a minimum of 60 days
in advance of the date of importation.
With the exception of snakehead fish and zebra
mussels, the prohibitions listed with respect to importation and possession do
not apply to fish for use in laboratories or exhibitions or for use as pets.
What are the dangers of releasing fish?
Releasing non-native or exotic animals and
aquarium plants into the environment causes harmful consequences to native
fish, wildlife and flora populations by competing for food and habitat,
spreading disease and enabling genetic contamination.
Fish from rivers, streams or other ponds should
not be used for stocking due to the possible introduction of disease and
nuisance weeds. It could also lead to an
unbalanced fish population in your pond.
How do I get a Permit or Special Authorization?
Contact Richard
Bohn, Permit Coordinator, at
Fisheries
Service, B-2,
Allow a minimum
of 60 days to process your request.
For information
on finding a new home for exotic species contact the Maryland Association of
Pet Industries at www.mdapi.com
For information
concerning the use of live bait in Baltimore City Reservoirs contact the
Department of Public Works at www.baltimorecity.gov/government/dpw/water.html
or (410) 795-6150.
For information
concerning the Aquaculture Industry contact the Maryland Department of
Agriculture at www.marylandseafood.org or (410) 841-5820.