(1) License / endorsement under this Act shall be obtained from Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority (APSADA) as per the process prescribed under this section.
(2) Every Hatchery, Larval Rearing Centre (LRC), Brooder Multiplications Centers, Fish Seed Farms or any other unit connected with aquaculture seed production shall possesses License under this Act.
(3) With the approval of the State Level Committee, the Controlling Authority may issue executive orders to bring any unit which rear Aquaculture Seed to an advanced stage, such as juvenile, fry, fingerling etc, under the purview of this Act and Rules.
(4) Licensing Authority: The Collector of the District shall act as the Licensing Authority under this Act.
(5) Process of Issuance of License/Endorsement –
(i) Licenses/Registrations already issued to the Aquaculture Seed Hatcheries, Larval Rearing Centres, Brooder Multiplications Centers or any other unit connected with aquaculture seed production by any Department /Organization under any other Act shall be valid and it is not necessary to apply for license afresh. However, these old licenses / registrations are to be endorsed by the Licensing Authority of this Act in order to consider them to be issued under this Act.
(ii) The existing licenses endorsed under clause (i) shall be considered as Licenses issued under this Act and hence shall be governed by the provisions of this Act.
(iii) The applications received, under clause (i) for endorsement of existing licenses/ registration, the process of endorsement shall be completed by the Licensing Authority within fifteen (15) days, by following the prescribed procedure.
(iv) If acceptance or rejection of the application made under clause (i) is not communicated within the stipulated time of fifteen (15) days, the license shall be deemed to be endorsed.
(v) Any person/ persons who wish to start a new Hatchery, Larval Rearing Centre, Brooder Multiplications Centers, Fish Seed Farms or any other unit connected with aquaculture seed production; any Company
1. Section 6 along with marginal heading substituted by the Act No. 36 of 2020,s.6.
2 Section 7 along with marginal heading substituted by the Act No. 36 of 2020,s.7.
3. Section 8 along with marginal heading substituted by the Act No. 36 of 2020, s.8.
registered under Companies Act, 2013(Central Act No.18 of 2013) which desires to start new Hatchery, Larval Rearing Centre, Brooder Multiplications Centers, Fish Seed Farms or any other unit connected with aquaculture seed production shall apply for the license along with the prescribed license fee to the Licensing Authority in the manner prescribed under Rules.
(vi) If any application under clause (v) is submitted, the Licensing Authority:-
(a) If satisfied that the applicant has fulfilled all the terms and conditions prescribed for carrying out operations of Hatchery , Larval Rearing Centre, Brooder Multiplications Centers, Fish Seed Farms or any other unit connected with aquaculture seed production, the Licensing Authority shall issue the license within fifteen (15) days from the date of application; or If the Licensing Authority is of the opinion that the applicant has not fulfilled most of the prescribed terms and conditions, the applicant shall be informed of the same and be given an opportunity to furnish documents before rejecting the application within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of notice for additional documents, issued by licensing authority.
(b) If acceptance or rejection of application made under clause (v) is not issued within the stipulated time of fifteen (15) days, the license shall be deemed to be issued.
(vii) If any person/firm, operating Hatchery, Larval Rearing Centre, Brooder Multiplications Centers, Fish Seed Farms or any other unit connected with aquaculture seed production without any license immediately before commencement of this law, the person/company/firm shall apply to the Licensing Authority within a period of four (4) months from the issuance of Gazette notification of this Act.
(viii) If application is not submitted for license within the time limit as prescribed under clause (vii), the Licensing Authority can order for stopping all Hatchery, Larval Rearing Centre, Brooder Multiplications Centers, Fish Seed Farms or any other unit Operations being undertaken by the person/company/ firm.
(ix) If any application under clause (vii) is submitted, the Licensing Authority:-
(a) If satisfied that the applicant has fulfilled all the terms and conditions of application for carrying out the Hatchery , Larval Rearing Centre, Brooder Multiplications Centers, Fish Seed Farms or any other unit Operations, the Licensing Authority shall issue the license within fifteen (15) days from the date of application; or If the Licensing Authority is of the opinion that the applicant has not fulfilled most of the prescribed terms and conditions, the applicant shall be informed the same and be given an opportunity to furnish documents before rejecting the application within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of notice for additional documents, issued by licensing authority;
(b) Till the time of receiving acceptance or rejection of application made under clause (vii), the applicant may continue to operate Hatchery, Larval Rearing Centre, Brooder Multiplications Centers, Fish Seed Farms or any other unit connected with aquaculture seed production;
(c) If acceptance or rejection of application made under clause (vii) is not issued within the stipulated time of fifteen(15) days, the license shall be deemed to be issued.
(x) The licensing authority shall make sure all the applications for issuance of license / endorsement of existing license are in full shape to minimize the rate of rejection. The licensing authority shall facilitate the application process and shall render all possible support and assistance to the applicants.
(6) License / Endorsement Fee: License Fee will be fixed by rules.
(7) Duration of License /Endorsement: Licenses issued /endorsed under this Act shall be valid for lifetime and no renewal is required.
(8) Suspension / Cancellation of License:
The license is liable to be suspended if the licensing authority is satisfied that either on a reference made to it in this behalf or otherwise, that any offense, listed in rules for which suspension of license is prescribed, was committed by the licensee or his representative, without prejudice to any other penalty to which the holder of the license is liable under this Act and rules made hereunder:
The license is liable to be cancelled if the licensing authority is satisfied that either on a reference made to it in this behalf or otherwise, that any offense, listed in rules for which cancellation of license is prescribed, was committed by the licensee or his representative, without prejudice to any other penalty to which the holder of the license is liable under this Act and rules made hereunder.”.]
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CHAPTER - IV 1[9. Establishment of Aquaculture Seed Laboratory – (1) The Government may notify one or more Referral Aquaculture Seed Laboratories and one or more Regional Aquaculture Seed Laboratories as may be prescribed;
(2) The Controlling Authority may empanel private Aquaculture Seed Laboratories in different areas as per the requirement by issuance of executive orders.
(3) The Controlling Authority may authorize laboratories run by third party agencies to carryout seed analysis by means of executive orders under this Act.]
CHAPTER - V
1. Section 9 substituted by the Act No.36 of 2020, s.9.