Florida Aquaculture

In the State of Florida Red Claw must be raised in above ground tanks, pools raceways or any other structure and must be above ground. No pond production is allowed. Also, proper restraint devices on the standpipes are required so the Red Claw can not escape into the environment.

Red Claw (Cherax Quadricarinatus ) are classified as a  conditional non-native specie in the State of Florida. You are required to obtain a permit allowing you to culture Red Claw on a commercial scale for commercial production.

To get started contact this department:
Bureau of Aquaculture Development
Division of Aquaculture in Tallahassee.
Ph 850-488-4033

They will be able to give you all the particulars on requirements for the commercial production of Red Claw in the State of Florida.

FDACS Division of Aquaculture regulates “restricted species/conditional species” when they are cultured on a certified aquaculture farm. Only commercial aquaculture facilities can be certified through the Division’s Aquaculture Certification program.

Chapter 68-5.002 Conditional Non-native Species.
The following species or hybrids thereof may be possessed only pursuant to permit issued by the Executive Director with restrictions as provided in subsection 68-5.001(2), F.A.C.
(1) Non-native freshwater aquatic species.
(a) Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis).
(b) Bony-tongue fishes (Family Osteoglossidae, all species except silver arowana, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum).
(c) Dorados (Genus Salminus, all species).
(d) Freshwater stingrays (Family Potamotrygonidae, all species).
(e) Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), with restrictions as provided in Rule 68A-23.088, F.A.C.
(f) Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix).
(g) Snail or black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus).
(h) Nile perches (Genus Lates, all species). For facilities that are operating under permit or a certificate of registration, but which are not cultivating Nile perches as of April 11, 2007, and for facilities which are issued permits or certificates of registration after April 11, 2007, Nile perches:
1. Shall be held only in indoor facilities.
2. Shall not be taken on a fee or for-hire basis using hook and line or rod and reel.
(i) Blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), except that Oreochromis aureus may be possessed, cultured, and transported without permit in Citrus County in the North Central Region; and all counties of the Northeast, South and Southwest Regions.
(j) Wami tilapia (Oreochromis hornorum).
(k) Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)
(l) Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
(m) Walking catfish (Clarias batrachus)
(n) Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), except that blue catfish may be possessed in the Suwannee River and its tributaries and north and west of the Suwannee River.
(o) Australian red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) only in closed tank culture systems.
(p) Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and white river crayfish (Procambarus zonangulas)
1. Pond aquaculture of either species is prohibited.
2. Red swamp crayfish and white river crayfish may be possessed west of the Apalachicola River and its tributaries or imported for direct sale to food wholesalers and food retailers for resale to consumers without permit.
(q) Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans):
1. Red-eared sliders in personal possession prior to July 1, 2007 may continue in the possession of the owner.
2. Red-eared sliders less than four inches carapace length may not be possessed after July 1, 2008 without a permit.
3. Red-eared sliders with distinctive aberrant color patterns, including albino or amelanistic specimens, may be possessed without a permit otherwise required by this rule.
(2) Non-native mammals – Nutria (Myocaster coypu).
Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 6-7-07.
Only commercial aquaculture facilities can be certified through the Division’s Aquaculture Certification program”. 
 

Here is the link to the FWCC regulations. 

 https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=68-5

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