The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission has given its approval to a comprehensive set of regulations concerning the commercial utilization of wildlife. This includes guidelines for fish farming, catch-out operations, bait dealers, and the necessary equipment for vessels and navigation. The decisions were made during a one-day meeting held at the Ray Bell Building, which is part of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Among the significant changes is the expanded list of fish species that can be imported into Tennessee for sale in markets and grocery stores. This newly approved list now features walleye, striped bass, crappie, and hybrid varieties. While these species can be cultivated on commercial fish farms or harvested from outside the state, it is important to note that they cannot be sourced from Tennessee’s waterways or sold within the state.
Additionally, the commission introduced a new regulation that prohibits the importation of wild-caught catfish exceeding 34 inches in length for use in catch-out operations and fish farming. Another noteworthy update involves the revision of taxonomic names for certain fish species that are allowed in fish farming, reflecting recent changes made by the American Fisheries Society. For those interested in further details regarding these updated and newly established rules and regulations, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has made this information available on their official website at www.tnwildlife.org.