Important partners in helping to prevent invasive species introductions
Invasive species cause recreational, economic and ecological damage—changing how residents and visitors use and enjoy Minnesota waters. Businesses in the live plant and animal trades can take these actions to protect Minnesota waters from new introductions of invasive species.
Purchasing live organisms for consumption? Visit our responsible buyers page.
Learn more about invasive species and your business with this new poster!
Ensure your business does not buy or sell prohibited invasive species
The following prohibited invasive animals have been documented in the food trade and are illegal to possess or sell in Minnesota, whether they are alive or dead (e.g., frozen or otherwise processed). Additional species that are illegal to possess and sell include all Minnesota prohibited invasive species, state and federal noxious weeds and federally-listed injurious wildlife. It is also illegal to import any species of live crayfish or crayfish eggs without a permit.
- Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)
- Chinese mittencrab (Eriocheir sinensis)
- Crucian carp (Carassius carassius)
- Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
- Nile perch (Lates niloticus)
- Northern snakehead (Channa argus)
- Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
- Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
- Tench (Tinca tinca)
- Unspecified snakehead species (Channa and Parachanna spp.)
- Walking catfish (Clarias batrachus)
- Wels catfish (Silurus glanis)
- White perch (Morone americana)
- Yabby (Cherax destructor)
- Zander (Sander lucioperca)
Remind your customers not to release non-native organisms into the environment
Some seafood products are kept alive for freshness when sold to customers. It is illegal to release most non-native animals and plants into a free-living state in Minnesota. If you are selling live seafood, remind your customers not to release non-native organisms into the environment.
Related Links
- Crayfish consumption
- Craving for Crayfish
- Report: Invasive Species Availability at Minnesota Pet Stores and Seafood Markets, 2021
Sign up for our Food Business email list
Sign up for the DNR’s email list specifically for food-related businesses to stay up-to-date on new information, resources, and changes in regulations related to invasive species.
