Selling Fish for Bait?

By: Laura Tiu, Aquaculture Specialist, OSU South Centers

I get a lot of phone calls with farmers wondering about the legality of selling some fish for bait. This usually applies to bluegill or goldfish. In the past, there has been some confusion as to who can or cannot sell these species as bait. I recently contacted Mr. John Navarro, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife (DOW), and he was able to clarify the issue for me. The DOW hopes to clear up this issue further through changes in Administrative Code. 

· A person cannot sell bluegill as bait under a Bait Dealers Permit.

· A person cannot sell bluegill as bait under a Fish and Fish Food Propagators Permit.  ORC 1533.39 specifically states that "Fish and fish food, their eggs or young, shall not be sold under such permit except alive and in proper condition for propagation and stocking purposes."  This section will be repealed when the governor signs the current budget bill unless he does a line item veto of that section. 
  • A person could sell bluegill for any purpose, including bait, as long as they have a Class A or Class B Aquaculture Permit.

· A person with a Class A or Class B Aquaculture Permit must have a legitimate aquaculture facility as stated in ORC 1533.632 "A permit may be issued upon application to any person who satisfies the chief that the person has suitable equipment, of which he is the owner or lessee, to engage in aquaculture for a given aquaculture species or group of aquaculture species".  This means that they must have ponds and or facilities dedicated to fish propagation.  Consequently, a person must have a legitimate operation for raising the fish listed on the aquaculture permit.

In other words, you need to have a class A or B aquaculture permit, with the species being cultured as bait clearly listed on the permit. You also must have the facilities to raise such species.

I hope that this helps to clear up any issues that you have regarding selling aquaculture products for bait. If you have questions or concerns regarding this issue, please contact us at the OSU South Centers @ Piketon.

Culturing Bait and Freshwater Shrimp in Ohio:

An OAA Workshop and Farm Tour

When: Saturday September 13, 2003. 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Where: Calala’s Water Haven, 421 St. Rt. 60, New London, Ohio. Take St. Rt. 60 North from New London. The Farm is 2.25 miles on the West side of the road. 419-929-8052-phone

What’s Included: Lectures, notebook, tour, harvest demonstration, continental breakfast, lunch, fish dinner (alternative meat will be available).

Lectures

The Future of Baitfish

HACCP for Baitfish: Raising and Marketing Baitfish in Ohio

Freshwater Shrimp Production and Research in Ohio

Shrimp Harvest Demonstration: Partial harvest of Calala’s Freshwater Shrimp Pond. Bring waders, boots and old clothes if you want to join in the fun!

Farm Tour, Calala’s Water Haven

Fish Fry Dinner/Social Shrimp appetizers. Time to Network! Meet the Who’s Who of Ohio Aquaculture.

See insert for more information!

Upcoming Events in 2003

 

Sept. 13: O.A.A. Workshop—New London, Ohio (see insert)

December 6: OAA Annual Meeting—Columbus area

Volume 4, Issue 3

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