2001 Minnesota Statutes

     17.4981 General conditions for regulation of aquatic 
  farms. 

    Aquatic farms are licensed to culture private aquatic life. 
 Cultured aquatic life is not wildlife.  Aquatic farms must be 
 licensed and given classifications to prevent or minimize 
 impacts on natural resources.  The purpose of sections 17.4981 
 to 17.4997 is to: 

    (1) prevent public aquatic life from entering an aquatic 
 farm; 

    (2) prevent release of nonindigenous or exotic species into 
 public waters without approval of the commissioner; 

    (3) protect against release of disease pathogens to public 
 waters; 

    (4) protect existing natural aquatic habitats and the 
 wildlife dependent on them; and 

    (5) protect private aquatic life from unauthorized taking 
 or harvest.  

    Private aquatic life that is legally acquired and possessed 
 is an article of interstate commerce and may be restricted only 
 as necessary to protect state fish and water resources. 

    HIST: 1992 c 566 s 1