Off-Bottom Molluscan Shellfish Aquaculture

Off-Bottom Molluscan Shellfish Aquaculture A. Aquaculture harvesters are permitted to grow aquaculture seed in marinas and other prohibited or unclassified growing waters. 1. Harvesters must obtain a permit for this activity from the MDMR Shellfish Bureau. 2. Harvesters must adhere to the rules and regulations outlined in the Public Trust Tidelands Sublease, Commercial Aquaculture Permit, this Part, and the most current version of the NSSP Model Ordinance. B. Record Keeping 1. The aquaculture lease holder must maintain records and provide a monthly report to the MDMR Shellfish Bureau with the following information: i. A daily record of the number of incidental deaths of vertebrate coastal wildlife that occur within the leased area. Additionally, the aquaculture operation must notify the MDMR immediately upon the injury or death of any threatened or endangered species, marine mammal, or raptor within the leased area. ii. An accounting of aquaculture seed stock added and harvested within a given month. iii. On shore culture operators must maintain records of any transfers of broodstock, seed, gametes, or larvae. iv. All records must be maintained for a minimum of three (3) years and must be available to the MDMR Authority for inspection. 2. This report may be mailed to the MDMR Shellfish Bureau or emailed to oyster@dmr.ms.gov. C. The MDMR Authority will maintain the following records provided by the permittee while the aquaculture operation continues: 1. Construction and remodeling plans for any permitted aquaculture facility 2. Aquaculture operational plans 3. Aquaculture permits