Fish Health Certificate Requirements
Beginning January 1, 2026, any person or group importing fish into Pennsylvania, and/or introducing, placing or stocking fish into waters of Pennsylvania is required to obtain a fish health certification. (Refer to 58 Pa. Code §71a.6 Fish health certificate requirements and 58 Pa. Code §71a.7 Introduction or transportation of VHS-susceptible species of fish.)
Fish imported introduced, placed and/or stocked into Pennsylvania waters are limited to those on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s (PFBC) Species by Watershed Approved for Open System (Flow Through) Propagation and Introductions list.
Fish health certificate requirements are needed when:
- Importing fish into Pennsylvania.
- Introducing, placing or stocking fish in Pennsylvania waters.
Fish health certificate requirements are NOT needed when:
- Fish being transported through Pennsylvania, the shipping container remains bio-secure in transit, and the fish are accompanied by documentation stating the point of origin of the fish and the location outside of Pennsylvania where they are to be delivered.
- Fish being transported to facilities located within Pennsylvania for testing and scientific purposes, the persons transporting the fish have taken adequate measures to prevent escape and to disinfect discharged water and equipment used in the transportation of the fish, and the fish are accompanied in transit by documentation stating the point of origin of the fish and the destination where they are to be delivered for testing or scientific purposes.
- Fish being transported to a slaughter facility, processing plant or restaurant within Pennsylvania, and the fish are accompanied in transit by documentation stating the point of origin of the fish and the destination where they are to be delivered for slaughter, processing or consumption.
- Dead, recreationally caught fish are being transported solely for the purpose of human consumption or taxidermy.
Fish Health Certificate Protocol
Specific testing requirements may vary depending on the species of fish, geographical location of the shipping facility or source, and the final designated end use of the fish being imported into introduced, placed and/or stocked into Pennsylvania waters.
Fish being introduced, placed or stocked into Pennsylvania waters:
- Must originate from sources that comply with the fish health inspection process described in the Commission’s protocol.
- Require specific testing depending on the species, origin and final location of where the fish are being introduced, placed or stocked into Pennsylvania waters. See the Commission’s protocol>WHAT IS THIS LINK
- Must adhere to Notice of Stocking requirements when applicable to present documentation including:
- persons who have filed with the Commission or their agent shall have in their possession the Notice of Stocking, and present upon the request of an officer authorized to enforce the code.
- A copy of the fish health certification report for all applicable fish being stocked as indicated in the protocol and the Notice of Stocking; or
- The Notice of Stocking and a copy of the fish health certification report for the artificial propagation facility if the fish are from a facility that has been certified as having tested negative for all applicable fish pathogens as indicated in the protocol and Notice of Stocking.
Fish health testing protocol reference documents:
- Fish Health Inspection Protocol for Importation into the Commonwealth and Introductions into Waters of this Commonwealth (protocol)
- Protocol for Certification of Salmonids for the Presence of Gill Lice
- Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSv) certification is required as described in the protocol.
