The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Aquaculture Resources
- The Aquaculture Regulatory Guidebook
- Food Safety and Food Processing
- Funding and Financing
- Market Access and Supply Chain Connections
- Optional Aquaculture Certifications
- Waste Disposal (Fish, fish waste and wastewater)
- Approved Fish Species Stocking or Production
- Fish Movement
- Fish Health Resources
- Biosecurity/Best Management Practices
- Organizations
- Laws, Regulations and Policy
The Aquaculture Regulatory Guidebook
Aquaculture Regulatory Guidebook, a resource book that identifies potential permits, licenses, registrations, and requirements (i.e., regulations) that may be applicable to a commercial aquaculture facility in Michigan.
Food Safety and Food Processing
- Processing fish for sale as food: Information on Michigan permits for processing fish
- Michigan Cottage Industry Regulations (Direct to Consumer sales) and Farmers Market Licensing
- FDA Seafood HAACP Guidance and Regulation
- Information on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): details on the Produce Safety Rule, Produce Safety Risk Assessment, and the Produce Safety Risk Assessment Tool
- Video on Produce Safety Technical Assistance Video on What to Expect During a Produce Safety Inspection
Funding and Financing
- MDARD Grants Webpage: The webpage provides information and guidance for a number of grant programs. Please submit your email in the field provided to be added to the grants listserv and receive up-to-date information on grant opportunities.
- Michigan Food Business Funding Guide: This is compiled by MSU's Center for Regional Food Systems. The fourth edition of this directory provides an overview of various financing sources available to food-related businesses in Michigan and across the United States. The directory is divided into several category sources: crowdfunding, start-up accelerator resources, miscellaneous resources, and additional sources of funding information.
- Michigan Good Food Fund (MGFF): This is a $30 million public-private partnership loan fund that provides financing to good food enterprises that benefit underserved communities across Michigan.
- USDA Grants and Loans (Federal)
- Michigan USDA Office
Market Access and Supply Chain Connections
- Pure Michigan Agricultural Summit is hosted by Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). A B2B good and agriculture event for one-on-one buyer/supplier matchmaking meetings, walk-up meetings with buyers, and unlimited networking opportunities.
- Contact Katy Till at TillK1@michigan.org or Bobby Chasnis at ChasnisR@michigan.org for more information on the event.
- Making it Michigan is the premier food show and networking conference in the state. Don't miss this day of valuable educational sessions and retail buyer interaction to help expand your food or agricultural product business.
- MI Farm to School Network and MI Farm to Institution Network both work to expand markets for food grown, raised and processed in Michigan by hosting buyer/supplier events and education opportunities for market players.
Optional Aquaculture Certifications
- Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP)
- Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)
- International Aquaculture Certifications
Waste Disposal (Fish, fish waste, wastewater)
- Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA), Part 115 Solid Waste Management, Fish Waste Exemption: Michigan regulations pertaining to fish-processing wastes, fish hatchery sludges; fish offal, whole fish, and wash water from fish cleaning.
- Act 239 of 1982 The Bodies of Dead Animal Act: An act to regulate the disposal of dead animals and to provide for poultry and livestock composting.
Approved Fish Species Stocking or Production
- List of approved species for aquaculture in Michigan
- List of licensed aquaculture facilities in Michigan
- Aquaculture Research Permits for species that aren't approved or prohibited
Invasive Species
- Aquatic Invasive Species information
- Aquatic Invasive Species Plant Field Guide
- Aquatic Invasive Species Poster
Fish Movement
- Importation into Michigan: Aquaculture imported into Michigan require a prior entry import permit issued from MDARD prior to movement.
- Moving fish out of Michigan to another state: contact the receiving state
- International movement of live fish:
- USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, Region 3 (includes Michigan): USDA Import/Export Coordinator 517-337-4718, vspsmi@aphis.usda.gov
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, permits
- Livestock (Aquaculture) Dealer/Trucker Permits, FAQ
Fish Health Resources
- Michigan's Reportable Animal Disease List
- List of Aquaculture Veterinarians in Michigan
- Interactive Map for Aquaculture Veterinarians
- Approved Drugs for Use in Aquaculture
- MSU Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL): offers a variety of diagnostic and health certification services for aquatic animal facilities.
- American Fisheries Society (AFS) Fish Health Section, Blue Book: information on standard procedures for aquatic animal health inspections.
- USDA Approved Fish Health Labs for International Export
- US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Aquatic Animal Health Program
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fish Disease Overview
- USDA Aquaculture Health Website: This is part of the APHIS Veterinary Services. For up-to-date information on national aquaculture health related issues.
- The Commercial Aquaculture Health Program Standards (CAHPS) establish a nonregulatory framework for the improvement and verification of the health of farmed aquatic animals produced in U.S. commercial aquaculture industry sectors to facilitate trade. CAHPS will support various business objectives including efforts to improve health management, protect and expand aquaculture business opportunities, promote and facilitate trade, as well as efforts to improve resource protection and environmental sustainability.
- Veterinary Feed Directive: Information on the use of antimicrobials in animal feed:
Biosecurity/ Best Management Practices
- NOAA BMP/Farming Manuals: provides links to documents containing both industry-driven and government mandated Best Management Practices, including guides for starting a farm.
- Best Management Practices for Responsible Aquaculture
- Biosecurity for Aquaculture Facilities in the North Central Region (NCRAC)
- Best Management Practices for Aquaculture in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes Region
- The Freshwater Institute: A program providing solutions to enable the growth of environmentally-responsible aquaculture
Organizations
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
- Michigan Aquaculture Association
- Michigan Farm Bureau
- USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for Aquaculture: provides aquaculture producers with cooperative programs for protecting the health of aquatic animals.
- The Commercial Aquaculture Health Program Standards (CAHPS): establish a nonregulatory framework for the improvement and verification of the health of farmed aquatic animals produced in U.S. commercial aquaculture industry sectors to facilitate trade. CAHPS will support various business objectives including efforts to improve health management, protect and expand aquaculture business opportunities, promote and facilitate trade, as well as efforts to improve resource protection and environmental sustainability.
- North Central Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC): supports aquaculture research, development, demonstration, and extension education to enhance viable and profitable U.S. aquaculture.
- MI SEA GRANT, Fisheries and Aquaculture: dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of the Great Lakes and coastal resources, through research, education and outreach.
- US Trout Farmers Association
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) FISHERIES): responsible for the stewardship of the nation's ocean resources and their habitat.
- US Aquaculture Society: a national forum for the exchange of timely information among aquaculture researchers, students, and industry members in the U.S.
- World Aquaculture Society (WAS): through a commitment to excellence in science, technology, education, and information exchange, WAS endeavors to contribute to the progressive and sustainable development of aquaculture throughout the world.
- The World Organization for Animal Health: is the intergovernmental organization responsible for improving animal health worldwide.
Laws, Regulations and Policy
- Act 466 of 1988 The Animal Industry Act: an act intended to protect the health, safety and welfare of humans and animals.
- Act 199 of 1996 The Aquaculture Development Act: an act to define, develop and regulate aquaculture as an agricultural enterprise in Michigan.
- Act 239 of 1982 The Bodies of Dead Animal Act: an act to regulate the disposal of dead animals and to provide for poultry and livestock composting.
- Michigan's Reportable Animal Disease List: a catalog of animal diseases required to be reported to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).
- Fish Stocking (Private ponds and public waters): information on stocking fish in private ponds and public water bodies.
- Veterinary Feed Directive, information on the use of antimicrobials in animal feed:
- Commercial Net-Pen Aquaculture: Science, Regulatory and Economic Reviews