Section 830.11  Special Regulations for the Commercial Harvest of VHS-Susceptible Fish Species

a)         Commercial fishermen shall be allowed to harvest and transport live, to a State-licensed wholesale aquatic life dealer, any permitted commercial species identified in Section 830.60 and in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 875.20.

b)         Commercial fishermen who wish to transport viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS)-susceptible fish species for live stocking into water bodies that are entirely privately owned must first procure a Special Circumstances Authorization (see 17 Ill. Adm. Code 875.50(b)), pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 875, by writing to:  Aquaculture Specialist, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Aquatic Nuisance Species and Aquaculture Program, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL 62702‑1271 meet all of the following conditions:

1)         Commercial fishermen must have their Authorization in their possession at all times while transporting VHS-susceptible species; and

2)         All of the following information shall be documented on the back of the Authorization:

A)        date of catch;

B)        date of transport;

C)        location fish caught;

D)        destination address; and

E)        private landowner's signature.

c)         Commercial fisherman who wish to offer gizzard shad for sale or barter must first procure a Fish Health Inspection Report (FHIR) for every lot of fish, as required by 17 Ill. Adm. Code 875.40.  FHIR applies only to the lot of fish tested and approved for sale.  Lot number or accession identification number on the FHIR shall be labeled on any fish containers or fish products sold.

1)         An official FHIR must be issued by and received directly from one of the following entities:

A)        the State competent authority for fish health;

B)        a Department-approved veterinarian offering diagnostic services for aquatic animals;

C)        a Department-approved laboratory for certifying lots of fish as VHS-free.

2)         It is the responsibility of the commercial fisherman to arrange for appropriate delivery of the FHIR.

3)         The FHIR must contain the commercial fisherman's contact information, lot designation, location where fish were harvested, pathogens tested, number of individuals tested, results and original signature of the inspector.

4)         The FHIR and supporting documentation must state that the fish were sampled and tested negative for VHS virus in accordance with procedures set forth in either:

A)        Standard Procedures for Aquatic Animal Health Inspections section of the Blue Book (Suggested Procedures for the Detection and Identification of Certain Finfish and Shellfish Pathogens); or

B)        The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals, Fifth Edition (2006), Chapter 2.1.5, OIE, Paris, France.

d)         Commercial fishermen are allowed to harvest gizzard shad for use as bait on the waters (river reach or pool) from which they are collected. 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 12040, effective June 30, 2022)