West Virginia Code Chapter 20. Natural Resources § 20-2-48. License for private plant or pond for propagating fish, frogs, turtles and other forms of aquatic life for commercial purposes

The director may issue a license for the operation of a private plant, pond or business for the propagation, sale or purchase of fish, frogs, turtles and other forms of aquatic life for commercial purposes. The license shall authorize the holder to breed or raise fish, frogs, turtles and other forms of aquatic life as specified by the license and to buy and sell the same dead or alive or the eggs thereof in accordance with regulations prescribed by the director.

Application for a license under this section shall designate the size, character and location of the plant or pond. Before the license is issued, the director shall determine that the pond or plant will not interfere with the free passage of fish; that any water diverted to such plant or pond does not violate the riparian rights of other landowners and that such plant, pond or diversion will not interfere with the public stocking or propagation of fish frequenting such waters.

A licensee selling fish shall furnish the purchaser with a certificate or invoice of sale, bearing date of sale, the number of the license under which sold, the number of fish and number of pounds sold, and such other information which the director may require.

The certificate or invoice shall be shown by the holder on demand of any person authorized under the provisions of this chapter to enforce the provisions hereof.

The annual license fee shall be ten dollars.