The general assembly finds and declares that:

(1) It is the policy of this state to manage certain nongame wildlife to ensure their perpetuation as members of ecosystems, for scientific purposes, and for human enjoyment;

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 70-8-102

  • Agency: means the primary agency within the state that has statutory authority to manage wildlife populations. See Tennessee Code 70-8-103
  • Endangered species: means :
    (A) Any species or subspecies of wildlife whose prospects of survival or recruitment within the state are in jeopardy or are likely within the foreseeable future to become so due to any of the following factors:
    (i) The destruction, drastic modification, or severe curtailment of its habitat. See Tennessee Code 70-8-103
  • Fish: means all species of trout, salmon, walleye, northern pike, bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, perch, sunfish, drum, carp, sucker, shad, minnow, and such other species of fish that are presently found in the state or may be introduced or transplanted into this state for consumptive or nonconsumptive use. See Tennessee Code 70-1-101
  • Management: includes the entire range of activities that constitute a modern scientific resource program, including, but not limited to, research, census, law enforcement, habitat acquisition and improvement, and education. See Tennessee Code 70-8-103
  • Possession: means both actual and constructive possession, and any control of the object or objects referred to. See Tennessee Code 70-1-101
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Threatened: means any species or subspecies of wildlife that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future. See Tennessee Code 70-8-103
  • United States: includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Wildlife: means wild vertebrates, mollusks, crustaceans, and fish. See Tennessee Code 70-1-101
(2) Species or subspecies of wildlife indigenous to this state that may be found to be endangered or threatened within the state should be accorded protection in order to maintain and, to the extent possible, enhance their numbers;
(3) The state should assist in the protection of species or subspecies of wildlife that are deemed to be endangered or threatened elsewhere by prohibiting the taking, possession, transportation, exportation, processing, sale or offer for sale or shipment within this state of species or subspecies of wildlife listed on the United States‘ List of Endangered Fish and Wildlife as set forth in this part, unless such actions will assist in preserving or propagating the species or subspecies; and
(4) Adequate funding should be made available to the agency annually by appropriations from the general fund or from other sources for management of nongame and endangered species.
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