Section 188-24-04 - Aquatic Animal Health Technical CommitteeAn Aquatic Animal Health Technical Committee (AAHTC) shall be established jointly by the Commissioners of the Departments of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Marine Resources to provide advice to maintain optimum health among Maine's aquatic resources and to safeguard wild and cultured organisms from the introduction or dissemination of infectious organisms.
1.Composition and SelectionThe composition and selection of the Aquatic Animal Health Technical Committee shall reflect the interdisciplinary expertise required to address aquatic animal health issues. All members of the Aquatic Animal Health Technical Committee shall be qualified fish health inspectors or qualified professionals in the aquatic animal health field.
A. There shall be a total of three members representing the public resource agencies; the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Maine Department of Marine Resources and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry. B. There shall be one member representing the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.C. There shall be one member representing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries).D. There shall be one member representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.E. There shall be two members at large of which at least one shall be from academia.F. There shall be two additional members with experience in commercial finfish culture.G. There shall be two additional members with experience in commercial shellfish culture.H. The chair shall be elected by a majority vote of the Aquatic Animal Health Technical Committee.2.ResponsibilitiesA. Responsibilities of the Aquatic Animal Health Technical Committee shall be to provide technical advice to the Commissioners in the following areas:(1) Procedures for disease and pathogen surveillance and health monitoring among aquatic animal resources.(2) Diagnostic protocols and standards.(3) Criteria for biosecurity, quarantine, animal destruction and facility clean up.(4) Control of a disease outbreak.(5) Following annual review and analysis of epidemiological data provide recommendations to the Commissioners regarding the classification and testing requirements for Pathogens of Regulatory Concern.B. The Aquatic Animal Health Technical Committee shall also: (1) Review and make recommendations to the Commissioners on pathogen surveillance and the health status of aquatic animal resources.(2) Actively pursue the development of research programs for addressing the aquatic animal health issues facing the State's resources.(3) Serve as a technical resource for aquaculture facility managers to improve management and husbandry practices.13- 188 C.M.R. ch. 24, § 04