Ind. Admin. Code tit. 345, r. 1-3-31.5 – Movement of fish into Indiana

Sec. 31.5. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a person responsible for moving VHS-susceptible species of live fish into the state must ensure that the following requirements are met:

(1) A pre-entry permit must be obtained from the state veterinarian. An application for a pre-entry permit must be submitted to the board on a form provided by the state veterinarian and includes the following information:
1. (A) Name of the owner of the facility of origin.
2. (B) Owner contact information.
3. (C) Location of the facility of origin.
4. (D) Name and contact information for the fish health inspector for the facility of origin.
5. (E) Name and contact information for the owner of the destination of the fish.
6. (F) Address of the destination of the fish.
7. (G) Name, contact information, and IDNR permit information for the fish hauler.
8. (H) Size, quantity, and species of fish in the proposed movement.
9. (I) Anticipated date or window for movement.
10. (J) Signature and affiliation of applicant attesting to the accuracy of the information provided.
A copy of the permit, or a CVI bearing the permit number, must be in possession of the person in charge of the fish during movement.
(2) An individual who has obtained a pre-entry permit under this subdivision may provide the destination information required in subdivision (1)(E) and (1)(F) by submitting a fish destination report within thirty (30) days of the end of the pre-entry permit period. A fish destination report is submitted to the board on a form provided by the state veterinarian and includes the following information:
1. (A) Name and address of the pre-entry permit holder.
2. (B) Pre-entry permit number and expiration date.
3. (C) The location, owner and contact information, dates, species, and numbers of fish for each destination.
4. (D) Signature attesting to accuracy of information from person holding the pre-entry permit.
(3) VHS-susceptible species of live fish moved into the state from a VHS-affected or at-risk region must be transported with documentation from a licensed and accredited veterinarian or a laboratory that certifies the fish originate from a group of fish or facility that has tested negative for the VHS virus according to either of the following standards:
1. (A) United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Animal Fisheries Society-Fish Health Section (USFWS/AFS-FHS) Standard Procedures for Aquatic Animal Health Inspections section of the Suggested Procedures for the Detection and Identification of Certain Finfish and Shellfish Pathogens 2012 Edition, American Fisheries Society, Fish Health Section, Bethesda, Maryland (commonly referred to as the AFS Blue Book).
2. (B) World Health Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals, Seventh Edition (2012), Chapter 2.3.9, and the Aquatic Code, Sixteenth Edition (2013), Chapter 10.9, OIE, Paris, France.
A laboratory that certifies fish under this subdivision must be proficient in performing VHS tests according to the AFS Blue Book or OIE standards.

(b) VHS-susceptible species of live fish that are transported directly to a:

(1) slaughter facility to be processed for human consumption; or
(2) research and diagnostic laboratory;

are not required to be tested as required in subsection (a) if appropriate waste water discharge controls are in place at the receiving facility to prevent the possible spread of disease.

(c) The following types of movements of VHS-susceptible species of live fish are exempt from the permit and testing requirements in subsection (a):

(1) The fish are the subject of catch and release fishing activities.
(2) The fish are being transported directly through the state en route to another state.
(3) The state veterinarian has approved the movement to occur without a permit or VHS testing in order to facilitate disease control.

(d) A person moving VHS-susceptible species of fish into the state under the requirements of this section must keep a copy of the movement documents for at least two (2) years.

(e) The state veterinarian may deny a permit required under subsection (a) when a determination is made that the transport of the fish would present a significant risk to the health of the aquatic resources of the state.

(Indiana State Board of Animal Health; 345 IAC 1-3-31.5; filed Dec 4, 2014, 2:06 p.m.: 20141224-IR-345140235FRA; readopted filed Jul 14, 2020, 1:42 p.m.: 20200812-IR-345200230RFA; filed Nov 15, 2021, 10:07 a.m.: 20211215-IR-345210268FRA; readopted filed Oct 15, 2025, 3:08 p.m.: 20251105-IR-345240625RFA)