It is unlawful to import, transport, or otherwise receive live fish or fertilized eggs from any source outside of Arkansas without a valid Fish Health Disease-Free certification, issued following screening and confirmatory testing conducted as described in the inspection section of the most recent edition of the “American Fisheries Society – Fish Health Section Blue Book” or the most recent edition of the World Organization for Animal Health “Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals,” or conducted according to approved protocols in a laboratory listed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service that has been approved to test for aquatic animal pathogens, or in a USDA NAHLN laboratory by an official NAHLN protocol. See Addendum I1.00 for specific requirements.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), and Hybrid Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus X Ictalurus punctatus) for commercial “foodfish” production may be imported by permitted Resident fish farmers from permitted Non-resident fish farms located in the state of Mississippi, in the area West of Interstate Hwy 55 and North of Interstate Hwy 20, without a health certificate, provided such fish remain on the receiving facility's premises, except to go directly to a terminal processing facility. Exclusions for these species do not apply for fish destined for recreational or other stocking purposes.
2. Species listed as threatened, endangered, or species of greatest conservation concern may utilize a sentinel species from the same genus, which are located in the same water source.
3. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection will be accepted in lieu of health certifications for educational display purposes (e.g. zoos, public aquaria, museums, etc.) where specimens remain permanently in captivity in a closed aquarium system.

PENALTY: Class 3