As part of the application process, farmers, i.e., the individual holding the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission Fish Farmer (Aquaculturist) Permit, must sign an affidavit agreeing to strictly adhere to the following cultural practices and business procedures:

1. (1) Will culture only those species listed on the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission Approved Aquaculture Species List or by Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission permit;

2. (2)

   1. (A) Use only water from wells or recycled water from within the farm proper without mixture with outside waters or contact with noncertified fish.
   2. (B) Surface waters from any uncertified area of the farm may not be recycled to any certified area of the farm;

3. (3)

   1. (A) No fish will be stocked into any pond used for the production of certified fish unless they come from a source certified under these guidelines.
   2. (B) In special circumstances, such as the availability of new species or breeds, and under strict control with reliable documentation, fish farmers may request exemption from this subdivision (3), and the State Plant Board will respond to the request within ten (10) working days;

4. (4)

   1. (A) If only a portion of a participating farm is to be certified, it must be separated from the uncertified portion according to a biosecurity plan approved by the board.
   2. (B) The uncertified portion must not be used to produce any fish species also sold by the farm as certified;

5. (5)

   1. (A) If the farm produces other fish species as sportfish, foodfish, or for other nonbait and ornamental purposes, those fish must be kept separate according to an approved biosecurity plan.
   2. (B) Alternatively, documentation of biosecure separation is not required if these other species are raised according to these official standards for bait and ornamental fish, including ANS inspections and the submission of one hundred fifty (150) of these fish twice a year for fish health inspection, for a total of three hundred (300) fish twice per year;
6. (6) There will be no production or participation in the commerce of any salmonids species or any of the nonfish aquatic nuisance species listed in 2 CAR § 24-103, certified pathogenic and aquatic nuisance species;
7. (7) Silver carp and bighead carp may not be stocked into bait or ornamental fish production ponds;

8. (8)

   1. (A) Certified fish may only be loaded on trucks into dry or disinfected tanks using water from the certified producer's fish farm.
   2. (B) Trucks carrying uncertified fish may enter the loading area of a certified farm, but any tanks containing fish or water from an uncertified source must remain closed while loading or unloading certified fish;
9. (9) If any fish or water from an uncertified source are to be unloaded into the holding facility of a certified farm, the water and fish must be separated from certified fish according to a biosecurity plan approved by the board;

10. (10)

    1. (A) No individuals, trucks, or equipment including boots, nets, and buckets may enter any area that has contact with or drains into any water used by the farm for certified fish production if those individuals, trucks, or equipment have had contact with fish or water not included in the Arkansas certification program or from wild fisheries.
    2. (B) Such individuals, trucks, or equipment that have been disinfected just prior to entrance may enter these areas; and
11. (11) Farms will produce certified fish according to board-approved best management practices for controlled species, 2 CAR § 24-104.

Codification Notes: “ANS” means aquatic nuisance species.