This is a Preprint and has not been peer reviewed. This is version 1 of this Preprint.
Mapping the landscape of live baitfish regulations for aquatic invasive species prevention in the United States
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Abstract
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose a significant risk to global ecosystems, economies, and societies. In the United States, the live baitfish trade is a major pathway for their spread. While the presence of invasive species and pathogens in this trade has been documented, a comprehensive, nationwide analysis of the regulations governing live baitfish has been lacking. This study fills that gap by systematically mapping state-level and federal regulations across the U.S. Our analysis reveals significant variations in regulatory strength. States in the western and northern regions generally have more robust regulations, with some imposing complete bans on live baitfish use. Conversely, many southern and eastern states have weaker regulations, leaving gaps that could facilitate the spread of AIS. These findings provide a crucial resource for policymakers and researchers to evaluate existing policies, identify weaknesses, and develop more effective strategies to address risks posed by aquatic invasive species.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.32942/X21M1H
Subjects
Aquaculture and Fisheries Life Sciences, Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Policy, Marine Biology, Public Policy
Keywords
Arkansas, case law, exotic, fathead minnow, golden shiner, statutes
Dates
Published: 2025-09-10 04:37
Last Updated: 2025-09-10 04:37
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Language:
English
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Views: 1059
Downloads: 356
Comment #244 Paul Zajicek @ 2025-10-05 14:38
The authors of "Mapping the landscape of live baitfish regulations for aquatic invasive species prevention in the United States” have accomplished a huge amount of effort in selectively reviewing state regulations for those focused on baitfish. Unfortunately, their focused approach missed broader state regulatory prohibitions and/or restrictions that address the “gaps” in baitfish regulations that they claim to have discovered.
The following statement from the preprint is in error.
"...the analysis revealed that some states have very weak regulations governing live baitfish, utilizing few regulatory mechanisms and permitting the use of live baitfish on almost any waterbody in the state. This was most common in the eastern and southern regions of the country. This demonstrates that there remain numerous gaps in state regulations, which may facilitate the spread of AIS in these states via the live baitfish pathway."
By focusing their regulatory search on the terms “baitfish,” “bait,” “live fish,” “live finfish,” “live aquatic,” “fish live,” “minnow,” “nongame,” “non-game baitfish” and similar, the authors missed regulations that close the gaps they have identified.
Each sovereign state:
1. Prohibits and/or restricts fish species possession which affects the bait fish market chain (wholesaler, retailer, consumer). The authors should create a table listing the specific fish species prohibited or restricted by the states or at least the number of species so regulated by each state.
2. Prohibits the introduction of specific nonnative or native fish species to public and privately owned freshwaters. The authors should reexamine the collected regulations, list this prohibition by state and include the language used.
3. Licenses and/or permits in-state and out-of-state bait dealers. These dealers are required to only sell to state-licensed retailers and can only sell state identified species as bait. The authors should list those states, the agencies that do so and summarize these regulations by state.
Also suggest the authors should request a review of their draft analysis by the state fishery management leadership before publication. As they noted in their preprint, a variety of agencies may regulate bait and such a review by fishery leadership will uncover missing regulatory coverage. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies can assist the authors in contacting state fishery management leadership.
If there are questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Paul W. Zajicek, Executive Advisor
National Aquaculture Association (USA)
Email: paul@nationalaquaculture.org