<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".16" citation="COMAR 08.02.01.16" title_num="08" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="01" heading="Importation of Finfish.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Release of Finfish.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In accordance with Natural Resources Article, §§4-205.1, 4-11A-20, and 4-11A-21, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 08.02.11.04 and 08.02.14, a person shall obtain permission from the Department prior to releasing finfish into Maryland waters.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A person who is permitted by the Department to release finfish may obtain finfish from an out-of-State supplier only if the supplier is permitted in accordance with this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Prior to providing finfish from out-of-State to anyone in Maryland who plans to release the finfish into Maryland waters, a person shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Submit an application in accordance with §C of this regulation; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Obtain an out-of-State supplier permit.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Application.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A person shall apply for an out-of-State supplier permit by submitting a completed application on a form provided by the Department.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A person shall submit required fish health testing documentation for viral, bacterial, protozoan, or parasitic infections so that the Department may determine if the finfish to be stocked in Maryland waters pose an unacceptable risk to native or naturalized aquatic resources.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Out-of-State Supplier Permit.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A permittee shall comply with all of the terms and conditions described on the permit.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The permit is valid during the calendar year of issuance.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>There is no fee for the permit.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Denial or Revocation of an Out-of-State Supplier Permit.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Department may deny issuance of an out-of-State supplier permit if the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Applicant submits an incomplete or untruthful application; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Department receives test results that indicate that the supplier’s stock may present an unacceptable health risk to native or naturalized aquatic resources.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In addition to any other penalty, failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the permit may result in the revocation of the current permit or the denial of a subsequent permit.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Prior to denying an application for a permit or revoking a current permit, the Department shall give the permittee notice of its intended action and an opportunity to appear at a hearing conducted in accordance with the contested case procedures set forth in State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 08.01.04.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>