Public Hearings on Proposed Fish Regs Set

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department will hold two public hearings May 14-15 on the proposed regulations regarding importation and possession of fish in Vermont.

The first meeting will be at 6 p.m., Monday, May 14, at the Essex Junction Fish & Wildlife office, 111 West St. The second meeting will be at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 15, at the Rutland Fish & Wildlife office, 271 N. Main St.

The proposed regulation would cover three categories of fish species:

• Prohibited fish
• Restricted fish
• Unrestricted fish

Prohibited fish are those that are prohibited except with a commissioners prohibited fish species permit. They include non-native Vermont fish that are known to pose a hazard to native fish species.

Restricted fish includes native and some fish that are now part of the Vermont landscape. They don't require a prohibited fish species permit, but may be regulated through other department permits.

Unrestricted fish are those that are commonly imported into the state for aquariums. These are fish that pose minimal or no risk to Vermont fish. No permit is required but the fish may not be released.

Fisheries biologist Shawn Good said the regulation is needed to protect Vermont's fish species.

“The proposed regulation is needed to protect Vermont's native fish communities and aquatic ecosystems from the harmful effects of introduced exotic fish species,” Good said. “The introduction and establishment of exotic invasive fish species has had massive biological and economic ramifications across North America and requires millions of dollars in expenditures annually for state and federal control programs.”

Anyone interested in seeing the full list of species covered, or the text of the proposed regulation can find it at: http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/. Click on Law Enforcement and then Rules and Proposed Rules.