Transportation of fish.

RELATES TO: KRS 13B, 150.010, 150.170, 150.235, 150.485 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 150.025(1)(c), 150.180(6), 150.280(2) CERTIFICATION STATEMENT: The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, pursuant to statutory authority to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out the provisions of KRS Chapter 150 as established in KRS 150.025 and as an independent department of state government within the meaning of KRS Chapter 12 as established in KRS 150.021(1), promulgated by the Commissioner with approval of the Commission in accordance with KRS 150.010(1), does hereby certify this administrative regulation is promulgated in compliance with Section 8 of 2025 RS HB 6. NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 150.025(1)(c) authorizes the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to promulgate administrative regulations to regulate the buying, selling, or transporting of game and fish, and the application of administrative regulations to a limited area or to the entire state. KRS 150.180(6) requires the commissioner to promulgate administrative regulations relating to issuance of a fish transportation permit. KRS 150.280(2) requires the department to promulgate administrative regulations identifying species of wildlife that are potentially damaging to native ecosystems and prohibiting the transporting or holding of that wildlife. This administrative regulation provides for control of the transportation of fish, fish eggs, live bait, and other aquatic organisms into, within, and through the state to protect the resident fish population. Section 1. A fish transportation permit shall not be required: (1) By an individual to transport aquarium species; (2) By permitted Kentucky fish propagators as established in 301 KAR 1:115, except if transporting fish into Kentucky from outside of Kentucky; (3) By individuals with a sport or commercial fishing license to transport legally caught bait or fish; (4) By individuals transporting fish purchased from a licensed live bait dealer or permitted commercial fish propagator for stocking in private waters; (5) By agents of the department while performing their normal duties; or (6) To transport live fish or other aquatic organisms that were purchased for consumption from a licensed retailer. Section 2. Live Fish, Live Bait, or Other Aquatic Organisms. (1) (a) All individuals, corporations, or other business entities that transport any live fish, live bait as defined in :001, Section 1, or other live aquatic organism, except those individuals listed in Section 1 of this administrative regulation shall have in possession the documents required by paragraph (b) of this subsection, if transporting into, within, or through Kentucky. (b) 1. A fish transportation permit, to be renewed annually by calendar year, issued in the name of the individual, corporation, or other business. 2. A bill of lading showing the origin and destination of the organisms being transported. (2) An individual shall also possess a live bait and fish dealers license, as established in :132, if the organisms will be: (a) Sold to another individual, corporation, or other business entity in Kentucky; or (b) Transported from Kentucky to be sold outside of Kentucky. (3) All organisms in transport shall be disease free, and any prohibited species listed in :122 shall not be present. (4) If any Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia- or VHS-regulated fish species from a VHS positive state are transported and unloaded in Kentucky, in addition to the requirements established in subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section, the following requirements shall apply: (a) If the origin of the VHS-regulated fish species is from a certified VHS free facility, the individual shall possess a copy of the documentation showing that the facility is VHS free. (b) If the origin of the VHS-regulated fish species is from a non-certified VHS free facility: 1. The VHS-regulated fish species shall only be unloaded at a: a. State inspected fish-processing plant; or b. Research and diagnostic laboratory; 2. The individual shall possess a copy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, VS 1-27 permit for Movement of Restricted Animals issued by an APHIS Veterinary Services office or by a state, tribal, or federal accredited veterinarian; and 3. Water from the fish transportation tank shall only be discharged into a municipal sewage system that includes wastewater disinfection or into a non-discharging settling pond devoid of fish. (5) If the origin of the VHS-regulated fish species is from a VHS positive state and are only being transported through Kentucky, then only the requirements established in subsections (1) and (3) of this section and Section 3 of this administrative regulation shall apply. (6) VHS-regulated fish species being transported from a known VHS positive state into, within, or through Kentucky that do not meet all requirements established in Sections 2 and 3 of this administrative regulation shall be confiscated for disposal purposes. Section 3. Fish Transportation Permit Application. (1) If an individual, corporation, or other business entity wants to transport fish, live bait, or other aquatic organisms into, within, or through Kentucky they shall submit a completed Fish Transportation Permit Application to the department, along with the applicable fee as referenced at https://fw.ky.gov/Licenses/Pages/Fees.aspx and established in 301 KAR 5:022. (2) In addition to the requirements established in subsection (1) of this section, an individual, corporation, or other business entity that wants to transport VHS-regulated fish species into or through Kentucky from a VHS positive state shall also submit a: (a) Copy of the documentation showing that the facility that the VHS-regulated fish species are coming from is certified as being VHS free; or (b) Copy of the APHIS VS 1-27 permit if the facility is not certified as being VHS free. (3) An individual, corporation, or other business entity shall not transport fish, live bait, or other aquatic organisms into, within, or through Kentucky without an approved fish transportation permit in possession. (4) If an individual, corporation, or other business entity desires to transport VHS-regulated fish species from a facility in a VHS positive state that is currently not listed on their fish transportation permit, the permittee shall: (a) Notify the department; and (b) If approved by the commissioner, based on risk of contagion to fish of the Commonwealth, be sent an updated fish transportation permit listing the approved facility. Section 4. Transportation of Roe-Bearing Fish and Roe. (1) All individuals, with the exception of permitted roe-bearing fish harvesters as established in :155, who transport roe-bearing fish or unprocessed roe as established in :155 into, within, or through Kentucky, shall have in possession a fish transportation permit issued in the name of the individual with the associated roe-bearing fish harvester's name and commercial fishing license and roe-bearing harvester's permit numbers listed. (2) All individuals who transport unprocessed roe from a fish processing facility to a permitted roe-bearing fish dealer shall also have in possession a bill of lading as established in :155, Section 8(4)(c). Section 5. The transporter shall not transport the prohibited species listed in :122, and all game wardens and agents of the department shall have the authority to demand that the transporter submit proof of all appropriate permits and documentation. Section 6. Fish Transportation Permit Denial, Revocation, and Nonrenewal. (1) The department shall deny a fish transportation permit for transportation of aquatic organisms determined potentially damaging to Kentucky's native ecosystems. (2) The department shall revoke and shall not renew the fish transportation permit of an individual, corporation, or other business entity for a period of two (2) years if they: (a) Falsify the documentation needed to transport fish, eggs, live bait, or any other aquatic organism into, within, or through Kentucky; (b) Falsify information on the Fish Transportation Permit Application; or (c) Are convicted of any federal or state violation involving the transportation of fish, eggs, live bait, or any other aquatic organism. (3) An individual, corporation, or other business entity whose fish transportation permit has been denied or revoked may request an administrative hearing pursuant to KRS Chapter 13B. (4) A request for a hearing shall be in writing and postmarked, or delivered in person to the department, no later than thirty (30) days after notification of the denial or revocation. (5) Upon receipt of the request for a hearing, the department shall comply with the provisions of KRS Chapter 13B. (6) The hearing officer's recommended order shall be considered by the commissioner, and the commissioner shall issue a final order pursuant to KRS Chapter 13B. Section 7. Incorporated by Reference. (1) "Fish Transportation Permit Application", 2025 Edition is incorporated by reference. (2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, #1 Sportsman's Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or online at https://fw.ky.gov/Licenses/Documents/Fish-Transportation-Permit-App.pdf. HISTORY: (301 KAR 001:125. KFWR-F-TP1-1; 1 Ky.R. 346; eff. 2-5-1975; 35 Ky.R. 992, 1829, 1742, eff. 3-6-2009; 48 Ky.R. 125, 1123; eff. 11-17-2021; 50 Ky.R. 436, 1228; eff. 2-22-2024; 52 Ky.R. 232; eff. 11-6-2025.)