Colonial tunicates (Didemnum lahillei) attached to mussel cages in British Columbia. Photo/Gordon King. See the Tunicate Fact Sheet for more information

Upon recommendation by the director, the commission may classify nonnative aquatic animal species according to the following categories:

Prohibited aquatic animal species RCW 77.12.020
These species are considered by the commission to have a high risk of becoming an invasive species and may not be possessed, imported, purchased, sold, propagated, transported, or released into state waters except as provided in RCW 77.15.253. Which allows for the transport of prohibited aquatic animal species to the department, or to another destination designated by the director, in a manner designated by the director, for the purposes of identifying a species or reporting the presence of a species. The unlawful release of a prohibited aquatic animal species is a gross misdemeanor. A second violation within five years is a class C felony.

Regulated aquatic animal species
These species are considered by the commission to have some beneficial use along with a moderate, but manageable risk of becoming an invasive species, and may not be released into state waters, except as provided in RCW 77.16.253. These species include commercial aquaculture species, and species listed by the commission as food fish or game fish.