License, regulation?

[jam583]

Just curious .. outside of regular licenses required for a business, anything else required to buy/sell corals? Is this highly regulated?

I own a vineyard/winery so have experience with highly regulated stuff (state/ttb/etc).

Curious if anyone that has a business, in operation dealing with corals, can shed any light.

 

[organism]

I know in Florida you need an aquaculture license or something along those lines, but federally there aren't any national regulations on corals once they've been legally imported. You may want to check with your state just in case, but in general you're good to go.

 

[Rollins4Miles]

A tiny bit of digging has told me that you will need a permit. Maryland's statutes are not the most user friendly, but you can go to Maryland's Department of Natural Resources website for more information. From what I've read the permit is free. It requires an annual filing with the State to maintain the permit.

Just remember that that an aquaculture permit is generally only required for the commercial growth and sale of corals. If you want to start a legitimate coral farm then you need the permit.

 

[jam583]

Yea .. like you, I was digging around and made a few calls. I do in fact need an aquaculture permit.

 

[Crabkins]

I am an coral farmer in Florida. I am required to to be certified (not a license) by the state Div. of Aquaculture (and inspected). I also must have a retail license to sell to the public and a business license from my county. Remember that it is up to you to make sure that everything you buy was legally collected and legal to have/sell and that your suppliers have their proper licenses (licensed importers, wholesalers). Also, remember you must have a wholesale license in order to buy directly from a licensed collector. Keep your itemized receipts, it establishes a chain of custody for everything you have on hand. If you order from overseas, that's a whole other can of worms.