Sec. 26-224a. Depositing of shellfish in tidal waters. Regulations. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 26-224a. Depositing of shellfish in tidal waters. Regulations. (a) The Commissioner of Agriculture shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 setting forth standards and procedures for the depositing of shellfish imported from outside the state in tidal waters of the state to prevent the introduction of harmful shellfish parasites, pests and diseases. No person may deposit any shellfish or shellfish seed imported from outside the state into the waters of the state unless such shellfish or shellfish seed has been produced from a hatchery which has been inspected or otherwise approved by the Department of Agriculture. Said department may charge such hatchery for any costs incurred in such inspection. Any moneys collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the fund established pursuant to section 26-237b and shall only be expended for the costs incurred in association with inspections made pursuant to this subsection. Any person who deposits shellfish in any of the tidal waters of the state shall first give notice thereof to the commissioner in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to this section.

      (b) The commissioner shall have reasonable access to vessels, commercial fishing gear and docks and wharfs used in shellfish operations to determine compliance with the regulations adopted pursuant to this section.

      (c) On and after the effective date of regulations adopted pursuant to this section, no person shall deposit shellfish in the tidal waters of this state except in accordance with such regulations.

      (d) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars.

      (P.A. 87-520, S. 1; P.A. 91-333, S. 1, 4; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(e), (f); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 91-333 amended Subsec. (a) to prohibit the introduction of imported shellfish into the waters of the state from any hatchery which has not been approved by the department of agriculture; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner and Department of Agriculture with Commissioner and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.