Section 481A.141. Aquaculture — license required.

  1.  A person shall not engage in the business of aquaculture until that person has applied for and has been issued an aquaculture unit license from the department. The application period extends from January 1, or the date of the application, through December 31. A license shall not be issued to operate an aquaculture unit on private or nonmeandered lakes and streams and ponds that may become stocked with fish from public waters or natural migration. A pond stocked by the department pursuant to section 481A.78 shall not be used for aquaculture purposes.

  2.  The following persons must obtain an aquaculture unit license:

  a.  A person who, for commercial purposes, rears or maintains live animals or plants for food, bait, or for stocking in waters of the state.

  b.  An owner or operator of a pond where guests or customers are allowed to fish for a fee, or allowed to take fish without regard to angling licenses, seasons, gear restrictions, or bag limits.

  3.  The cultivation and sale of tropical fish species or ornamental aquatic plants or animals, not utilized for human consumption or bait purposes, but maintained in closed systems and utilized by the pet industry or hobbyists are exempt from license requirements.

92 Acts, ch 1216, §3