License to Sell Frags?

PaulKreider · May 26, 2015

Has anyone even heard of this, or had experience?

Apparently, at least in Florida, you need an aquaculture license just to sell frags as a hobbyist... Even from one hobbyist to another. Seems quite a bit ridiculous, especially since the license is over $100.

Now this seems understandable for large scale operations generating thousands of frags, but for a simple hobbyist selling a couple frags a month this just seems a little absurd.

Anyone have knowledge on this? Or have a license themselves?

Daniel@R2R · May 26, 2015

I had heard something about that. Maybe someone from FL could help. @joshporksandwic?

KoleTang · May 26, 2015

Never heard of this, but it is concerning. PIJAC may have some information available if you reach out to them.

kschweer · May 26, 2015

I have heard of this before as well. Pretty sure it's true. I was talking to a few vendors at a swap not too long ago and they were discussing getting a license to sell at a large Swap in Florida. I thought they were talking about "buying" a booth but they said this was directly from the state and had nothing to do with the swap itself. I know they are "commercial" vendors but I have never heard of this for any other swaps and I've been to them in a few states. So I could certainly see this being true.

Humblefish · May 26, 2015

Thanks to the power of the Internet, Big brother sees everything nowadays. This explains: http://www.o-r-c-a.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16157

Shep · May 26, 2015

I could be wrong but this sounds like it applies more to retailers than local hobbyists, I highly doubt they will make you buy a license if you sell a frag or two from your tank (it would cost more to pursue charges than what they would get back, so its not really worth their time). I think the point of this is to help reduce uncontrolled harvesting and selling. I do not live in FL and I have not researched the law to much but this is my opinion.

joshporksandwich · May 27, 2015

If you are selling to anyone in any state you need to pay taxes and to pay taxes you need a tax id or to open a company. In fl you also need an aquaculture licence so they get the opportunity to go to your house once or twice a year to make sure your setup is adequate and that you're not disposing of saltwater anywhere not approved. There's the link with some useful info

http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Div...ry/Aquafarm-Program/Aquaculture-Certification

Mark426 · May 27, 2015

Oh good grief.

Chris Adams · May 27, 2015

joshporksandwic said:
If you are selling to anyone in any state you need to pay taxes and to pay taxes you need a tax id or to open a company. In fl you also need an aquaculture licence so they get the opportunity to go to your house once or twice a year to make sure your setup is adequate and that you're not disposing of saltwater anywhere not approved. There's the link with some useful info

Well what if it is tied in with a trade .. your coral is worth 80 mine 50 and I give you 30 to make up the difference. Still need the license correct? "I am laughing at myself just asking this question"

booth2010 · May 27, 2015

IDK about the aquaculture license but at the very least if you sell frags on a regular basis then you should probably have a Business Tax Receipt (Business License).

joshporksandwich · May 27, 2015

Chris Adams said:
Well what if it is tied in with a trade .. your coral is worth 80 mine 50 and I give you 30 to make up the difference. Still need the license correct? "I am laughing at myself just asking this question"

If the tax man is hidding behind a fern taking pictures of the money exchange and then checks my tax return at the end of the year he will send me to jail for 20 years and fine me $50k for tax evasion on $30. The struggle is real ask Wesley Snipes. Ha!
All kidding aside I have a friend that got Florida Wild life called on him for selling corals out of his house and they went through all his stuff and personals belongings and scared his kids pretty bad. They treated him like a criminal and he got a $500 fine for not having receipts of where he bought everything and for not having a license. I rather pay the $$ and have a very nice guy from the aquaculture division visit my house than the FWC. All it takes is one angry neighbor or an LFS to complain. They can even take your corals if you don't have a receipt. I know that the chances of anyone getting raided are very slim but I rather protect myself.

Chris Adams · May 27, 2015

They say they do not want to effect the local hobbyist but they are essentially saying you have to give it away or purchase the license. For someone like me who is only taking a frag here and there to make room it stinks. It would be nice to have an extra 15 here and there and that probably does not even make up for what you spent on your original frag.

Chris Adams · May 27, 2015

Good stuff glad I saw this thread!
Guess I will have to work the trades.

joshporksandwich · May 27, 2015

Chris Adams said:
Good stuff glad I saw this thread!
Guess I will have to work the trades.

You save more that $100 a year from buying wholesale anyways hahahah

nwkermit · May 27, 2015

I was told recently that it's not just selling...but fragging. If you actively cutting and transferring the coral to a new frag plug, that is harvesting and propagating, and aquaculture license is needed. This is from a local Florida store that was just inspected by aquaculture department when I was in the store. If it fall off the rock(sps) might be fine, but zoas will be hard to explain.

nwkermit · May 27, 2015

Now are they going to call SWAT team to break down the door to check all the people that frag at home? No...but if you are selling...now they can check you. I heard LFS that will report people on Craigslist.

Chris Adams · May 27, 2015

this is what it says on the Aquaculture Certification page. Nothing about fragging needing a Certificate just selling them is when you need it

5) Is an Aquaculture Certificate of Registration required if no products are sold?

No. The Florida Legislature did not intend to regulate hobbyists or homeowners that grow aquatic species for personal use or consumption.

PaulKreider · May 27, 2015

This just all sounds a little ridiculous to me... I mean you don't see garage sales getting raided ever.... why bother a hobbyist who's just trying to recoup some costs.

Sounds like everything from now on will have an "adoption fee."