Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
Section 71a.4 - Closed system propagation(a)Closed (no discharge) system.(1) A propagating system may be designated as a closed system only if all of the following criteria are met: (i) There will be 100% recycling water as normal operations.(ii) The system will be housed indoors in a structure enclosed by solid walls, floor and roof. For purposes of this subsection, a wall, floor or roof will be considered solid if it is constructed and maintained to prevent unauthorized human or animal intrusions into the closed system facility and to prevent release or escape of aquatic organisms from the closed system.(iii) Water can be added to the system only for making up evaporative loss, cleaning and fish harvesting or to reduce toxic ammonia/nitrates by diluting.(iv) The system does not discharge water into waters of this Commonwealth.(v) No live fish or live fish eggs may be allowed to escape with water discharges. Accidental spillage of live fish or live fish eggs, including truck loading, and the like, will be contained within the facility in a manner that will prevent fish and fish eggs from escaping into the waters of this Commonwealth.(vi) The system operator is registered with the Department.(2) The Department will notify the Commission when it receives an application to register a proposed closed system, and the Commission may, within 30 days of receipt of the notice, inspect the system to ensure that it is designed and constructed in a manner to prevent escapement of live fish or live fish eggs into the waters of this Commonwealth. Closed systems registered under this subsection shall, in addition to an initial inspection, be subject to inspection at any time to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section and the Commission may issue an order to suspend operations of any closed system when an inspection discloses that it is not in compliance.(3) The Commission will invite the Department's Aqua-culture Advisory Committee or a subcommittee thereof to draft and periodically update construction guidelines for closed system propagators to help them ensure enclosed facilities prevent escape of aquatic organisms into the waters of this Commonwealth. These guidelines will assist registered propagators in the design, construction and maintenance of closed systems and will assist the Commission in inspecting these systems.(b)Systems with discharges rendered incapable of containing living organisms. A system whose discharge of water is rendered incapable of containing self-perpetuating living organisms shall be registered with the Department. The Department will notify the Commission when it receives an application to register a proposed system under this subsection, and the Commission may, within 30 days of receipt of the notice, inspect the system to ensure that it is designed and constructed so that its discharge is rendered incapable of containing live fish or live fish eggs. Systems registered under this subsection shall, in addition to an initial inspection, be subject to inspection at any time to ensure compliance with this section and the Commission may issue an order to suspend operations of any system when an inspection discloses that it is not in compliance. The registration of this system may include any species of fish with the approval of the Department.(c)Escape of fish into waters of this Commonwealth. It is unlawful for an operator of any system registered under subsection (a) or subsection (b) to allow fish to escape into the waters of this Commonwealth.(d)Written plans for discharge. An operator of any system registered under subsection (a) or subsection (b) shall develop, maintain and make available for immediate inspection by the Commission and the Department upon request a written plan for containing or treating discharge in the event of a discharge system failure.(e)Notification in event of discharge. An operator of any system registered under subsection (a) or subsection (b) shall notify both the Commission's Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and the Department's Aquaculture Coordinator immediately in the event of a discharge system failure that is likely to contain viable living organisms.Adopted by Pennsylvania Bulletin, Vol 53, No. 38. September 23, 2023, effective 1/1/2024