CT HB06318

Amends the definition of "aquaculture producer" to include cultivation of plants in addition to aquatic animals, and adds new definitions for "aquatic plants," "seaweed," and "seaweed producer"

Exempts seaweed and aquatic plant producers from seafood processing standards and FDA inspection requirements that apply to other aquaculture producers

Establishes a nontransferable seaweed cultivation license system with a maximum five-year term and annual fee of $25 per acre, with exemptions for holders of existing shellfishing ground leases

Requires seaweed species approval from the Commissioner of Agriculture before licensing and mandates licensees make good faith efforts to cultivate and harvest seaweed from licensed areas

Prohibits seaweed cultivation licenses that interfere with established fishing or shellfishing rights, and establishes a $500 fine or six-month imprisonment penalty for interfering with licensed seaweed operations