US aquaculture producers should be able to transport live fish across state boundaries without the prospect of inadvertently triggering draconian penalties, following a ruling by a Court of Appeal last week that deems that the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) does not have the authority to prohibit interstate transport of injurious wildlife.

Since the 1970s, the FWS has interpreted the Lacey Act to mean they possess the authority to prohibit the shipment of species listed as injurious wildlife between the 49 continental states – an interpretation that has effectively hamstrung the US aquaculture industry, as it meant that interstate transport of fish could result in fish farmers risking losing their business, due to the potential penalties involved.

Source: The Fish Site/Original article

[Aquafeed.com Editor\'s note: Read the U.S. Appeals Court ruling]