An annual site inspection will be conducted by DACS staff to determine compliance with the BMPs. A. DACS - Division of Aquaculture Environmental Specialists will schedule site visits in advance of traveling to that area of the state. The farmer will then be given a reasonable amount of time to make the necessary modifications. If the facility is unable to comply with Best Management Practices, the Aquaculture Certification will be revoked and the facility will then be referred to the Department of Environmental Protection or appropriate Water Management District for regulatory permitting. You may apply for an aquaculture lease by completing a lease application form.
Most applications take approximately six months to process.
However, if substantial environmental or local issues arise during the lease application review process, the application can take a year or longer to complete. For this reason, we recommend that you contact the staff before you submit the lease application, in order to discuss the site location as well as other important matters pertaining to your lease application. Upon approval of the lease application, an annual rental fee will be required. You are required to apply for an Aquaculture Certificate with the Division of Aquaculture upon receipt of a signed lease agreement. The staff will send a certificate application along with the signed lease agreement.