POLICY
To facilitate Maryland=s compliance with national and international programs and to protect aquatic animal health, human health and the integrity of the natural resource, as well as the aquaculture industry, a clear and concise state policy on aquatic animal health shall be established.
THEREFORE: In an effort to promote the ecological integrity of natural aquatic populations and economic integrity of the aquaculture and fisheries industries, it is the policy of the State of Maryland to control or prevent the introduction and spread of pathogens and other substances that threaten the health of fish, mollusks and crustaceans resident to the State.
IMPLEMENTATION
In support of this policy, the Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and other State agencies and institutions with responsibility for aquatic animal health issues are directed to work cooperatively with the fishery and aquaculture industries to develop an action plan. It is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture to serve as the lead for the coordination of aquatic animal health services, provide for the certification of aquaculture facilities and their live products for domestic and international commerce, coordinate diagnostic services among appropriate State agencies and institutions, and generally serve to protect the aquaculture industry from significant economic losses resulting from disease outbreaks. The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the protection of wild stocks of aquatic animals and therefore, will coordinate the development of criteria for the importation of aquatic organisms which have the potential to threaten the integrity of the natural resource.
The plan includes the following:
I. Mechanisms for establishing a response network for aquatic animal health
II. The role of support agencies and institutions
III. Identification of existing public and additional laboratory facilities and services
IV. The establishment of an aquatic animal health board
V. Directed approach of appropriate education, training and research programs
VI. Proposed regulations to implement the policy
VII. Resources necessary for the implementation of the policy
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