Subdivision 1. Prohibited activities.
A person may not possess, import, purchase, sell, propagate, transport, or introduce a prohibited invasive species, except:
(1) under a permit issued by the commissioner under section 84D.11 ;
(2) in the case of purple loosestrife, as provided by sections 18.75 to 18.88 ;
(3) under a restricted species permit issued under section 17.457 ;
(4) when being transported to the department, or another destination as the commissioner may direct, in a sealed container for purposes of identifying the species or reporting the presence of the species;
(5) when being transported for disposal as part of a harvest or control activity when specifically authorized under a permit issued by the commissioner according to section 103G.615 , when being transported for disposal as specified under a commercial fishing license issued by the commissioner according to section 97A.418 , 97C.801 , 97C.811 , 97C.825 , 97C.831 , or 97C.835 , or when being transported as specified by the commissioner;
(6) when the specimen has been lawfully acquired dead and, in the case of plant species, all seeds are removed or are otherwise secured in a sealed container;
(7) in the form of herbaria or other preserved specimens;
(8) when being removed from watercraft and equipment, or caught while angling, and immediately returned to the water from which they came; or
(9) as the commissioner may otherwise prescribe by rule.
Subd. 2. Seizure.
Under section 97A.221 , the commissioner may seize or dispose of all specimens of prohibited invasive species unlawfully possessed, imported, purchased, sold, propagated, transported, or introduced in the state.