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[Fish Antics]

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The document PDF

This is a link to the Proposed National legislation for the ornamental fish industry in Australia. It is quite frightening if you read the detail. For those people who think it is too far away to worry about let me warn you it is happening now. Fish are been seized, even with receipts and tracking history. No Warrants are required and the burden of proof is with you not the departments. Massive fines and the possibility of Jail are real risks for having or selling fish that are not legal imports, or even the fry from the original parents. Soon it will not be possible to move a fish across state boarders or to sell any fish that is not on the allowable list. The Banned list is being expanded to a new multi page document. Read and take an interest. We as a group of people need to get involved and stop this from becoming law,

Translocation of aquatic organisms

Tony

[Donna]

Thanks for doing that Tony. Interesting reading. I see they have defined "hybridisation" in the glossary for the purpose of their document Timely indeed.

Regards,

Donna

[Sazabi]

I agree with Tony

Action needs to start with everyone from hobbyists, breeders and retailers/wholesalers to put our voice out there. Commercial aquaculturists have for years been lobbying the government for some action to restrict sales and importation of ornamental fish and lifting restrictions on "their" importation of fish they see as having a "beneficial and commercial" value.

They claim that ornarmental fish such as kois destroy the natural waterways and hence it results in the demise of native freshwater fish and others. Now I am not going into a large debate, or going to start one, but sometimes I wonder with the over exploitation and excessive fishing we have (look at the minister for fisheries who is resticting the fishing seasons and the outcry of baitshops) whether it is just the hobbyists fault. We all have a part to play, and better education, prevention of irresponsible ownership (releasing non-natives into the natural waterways), availablility and easy access to people to dispose of unwanted fish/inverts/plants would go a long way in preventing a draconian legislation becoming a reality, in what should be an enjoyable and relaxing hobby.

[keleherr]

in the long run this could work in our favor. rather then adding 6 new species to the import list every 5 years they what to look at the grey list over 2-3 years meaning the importation list could grow.
also awesome tank busters like RTC, gars and TSN may be able to be kept under tight regulations.
your right though there is a lot going on at the moment with busts ect. i personally know some of the people its happened to, would you believe dimi comps were seized and destroyed?? however they do need a warrant to seize and search if you play hard ball. and for the 80% of people here with electric yellows LOOK OUT they will seize and destroy them if given the chance
all in all id do what i could to get as many species added to the allowable list as soon as possible


The strategic plan recommends the following actions
to manage ornamental fish in Australia.
1 Agree on and adopt a national noxious species list
across all jurisdictions, noting links to existing lists
and lists under development for marine pest species.
2 Agree to review the status of fish on the ‘grey list’
as a national priority.
3 Establish a scientific/technical working group
reporting to the Natural Resource Management
Standing Committee (through the Marine and
Coastal Committee), to conduct assessments of fish
on the grey list over the next 2–3 years.
4 Adopt a regulatory framework and licensing to
manage large fish-breeders and ornamental fish
importers in each state and territory.
5 Develop control mechanisms for the regulation and
management of noxious fish and rare fish (e.g.
CITES listed) already in circulation in Australia,
again noting links to control plans for marine pests
of concern.
6 Initiate a rigorous review of aquatic plants used in
the ornamental fish trade, in order to control and
regulate the spread of a number of recognised
aquatic pest species.
7 Implement a national communication strategy to
raise awareness in the community and industry
about the management, control and regulation
of ornamental fish and invertebrates.

[kevy73]

...and for the 80% of people here with electric yellows LOOK OUT they will seize and destroy them if given the chance
all in all id do what i could to get as many species added to the allowable list as soon as possible

Why would they do this? The L. caeruleus isn't listed on the banned or the grey list.

[keleherr]

and it isnt on the import list either which started in 82 but yellows weren't described till 83. if its not on the import list it will be on the grey list. the grey list at the moment is species that have a great or known potential to become a pest. apparently the "guy" flipped out when he saw electric yellows on a stock list. this is just what i been told though

[Fish Antics]

I have shown the list of all the proposed fish to be included on the banned list. I have highlighted some that might concern some fish keepers.



Noxious List

FA M I LY S P E C I F I C N A M E COMMON NAME
Acestrorhynchidae Acestrorhynchus microlepis
Alestiidae Hydrocynus spp Pike characin Giant tigerfish
Amiidae Amia calva Bowfin
Anabantidae Anabas testudineus Climbing perch
Bagridae Anaspidoglanis macrostoma Flatnose catfish
Bagrus ubangensis Ubangi shovelnose catfish
Centrarchidae — entire family Banded or spotted sunfish, largemouth bass, bluegill
Centropomidae Centropomus (12 spp) Snooks
Lates microlepis Forktail lates
Lates niloticus Nile perch
Channidae Channa spp Snake head
Chacidae Chaca chaca Angler, frogmouth and squarehead catfishes
Characidae Colossoma spp
Serrasalmus spp Redeye piranha
Pygocentrus spp Red piranha
Cichlidae
Boulengerochromis microlepis Giant cichlid, yellow belly cichlid
Oreochromis spp Tilapia
Hemichromis fasciatus Banded jewelfish
Sargochromis spp Pink, slender, greenwoods, mortimers, cunean and green happy
Sarotherodon spp
Melanotheron melanotheron Blackchin tilapia
Serranochromis spp Tilapia spp. (All except T. buttikoferi) Redbelly tilapia
Citharinidae entire subfamily Ichthyborinae African pike-characin, tubenose poacher, fin eater
Clariidae Clarias spp Walking catfish
Cobitidae Misgurnus anguillicaudatus Weatherloach
Cyprinidae Aristichthys nobilis Bighead carp
Barbodes hexagonolepis Copper mahseer
Catla catla Catla
Catlocarpio siamensis Giant barb
Cirrhinus cirrhosus Mrigal
Ctenopharyngodon idella Grass carp
Cyprinus carpio ‘European’ carp
Labeo calabasu and L. rohita Orange fin labeo, rohu.
Zacco platypus Freshwater minnow
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Silver carp
Tor spp (17) River carp, Deccan, high backed, jungha,
putitor, Thai mahseer
Notropis spp Shiners
Phoxinus erythrogaster Southern redbelly dace
Doradidae Oxydoras spp (4) Ripsaw catfish, black doras, black shielded catfish
Elassomatidae Elassoma spp Pygmy sunfish
Eleotridae Oxyeleotris marmorata Marble goby
Erythrinidae Erythrinus spp Trahiras
Hoplerythrinus spp
Hoplias spp
Esocidae Esox spp Pikes
Gasterosteidae Pungitius pungitius Ninespine stickleback
Apeltes quadracus Four spined stickleback
Culaea inconstans
Gobiidae Acanthogobius flavimanus Yellow fin goby
Tridentiger trigonocephalus Chameleon goby, striped goby
Gymnarchidae Gymnarchus niloticus Aba aba
Gymnotidae Electrophorus electricus Electric eel
Hepsetidae Hepsetus odoe African pike
Heteropneustidae Heteropneustes fossilis Stinging catfish
Lepisosteidae Atractosteus (3 spp) American, armoured
Lepisiosteus (4 spp) alligator gars
Malapteruridae Malapterurus spp Electric catfish
Mormyridae Mormyrops anguilloides Bottlenose, Cornish jack
Poeciliidae Belonesox belizanus Pike minnow, pike killifish
Gambusia spp Mosquito fish
Polyodontidae Polyodon spathula Mississippi paddlefish
Psephurus gladius Chinese swordfish
Protopteridae Protopterus annectens African lungfishSchilbeidae Schilbe mystus African butter catfish
Siluridae Silurus spp European catfish, wels catfish
Trichomycteridae Paravandelia oxyptera Parasitic catfish
Valenciidae Valencia hispanica Valencia toothcarp
Cambaridae Procambarus clarkii Red swamp crayfish

PROPOSED ADDITIONS (GREY LIST)

FA M I LY S P E C I F I C N A M E COMMON NAME
Acipenseridae Acipenser spp Sturgeons
Anabantidae— entire family Ctenopoma (21 spp)
Ctenopoma ansorgi
Ctenopoma argentoventer
Ctenopoma nanum Anabas (2 spp)
Microctenopoma (11 spp)
Microctenopoma ansorgii
Chacidae Chaca spp Angler catfishes, frogmouth catfishes
Characidae Astynax spp
Astyanacinus spp
Bryconops spp
Bryconops affinis
Bryconops melanurus
Ctenobrycon spp
Hollandichthys multifasciatus
Knodus savannensis
Cichlidae
Amphilophus citrinellus Midas cichlid, false red devil cichlid,
Amphilophus zaliosus
Amphilophus labiatus Red devil
Caquetaia kraussii Bucketmouth
Caquetaia spectabilis
Caquetaia umbrifera Turquoise cichlid
Cichla spp Peacock cichlid, tucanare
Cichlasoma urophthalmus Mexican mojarra
Crenicichla spp
Crenicichla acustrus
Crenicichla lepidota
Crenicichla notophthalmus
Crenicichla saxatilis
Herichthys cyanoguttatum Rio Grande cichlid
Parachromis dovii Guapote, wolf cichlid
Parachromis managuensis Guapote tigre, jaguar cichlid
Parachromis motaguensis False yellow jacket cichlid
Petenia splendida Bay snook
Ctenoluciidae Ctenolucius spp
Ctenolucius hujeta
Boulengerella spp Gar characin, hujeta
Cyprinidae Tinca tinca Tench
Rutilus utilus Roach
Cyprinus carpio Domesticated koi carp
Dasyatidae Himantura spp Freshwater stingray
Eleotridae Eleotris spp
Batanga lebretonis Sleepers
Fundulidae Fundulus spp
Fundulus chrysotus
Leptolucania spp
Leptolucania ommata
Adinia spp
Adinia xenica
Lucania spp Topminnow
Ictaluridae—entire family Ameirus (7 spp) Bullheads, madtoms
except Prietella, Satan and Ictalurus (9 spp)
Trogoglanis ,which are Ictalurus punctatus harmless and IUCN listed Pylodictis (1 spp)
Noturus (26 spp)
Lebiasinidae Lebiasina spp
Lebiasina bimaculata Twospot lebiasina
Lepidosirenidae Lepidosiren paradoxa South American lungfish
Lepiosteidae Lepisosteus (4 spp) alligator gars
Mastacembelidae—subfamilies Mastacembelus spp
Mastacembelinae and Caecomastacembelus spp Spiny eel, tyre-track eel, zigAfromastacembelinae except Aethiomastacembelus spp
Macrognathus spp zag eel
Notopteridae Chitala spp Featherbacks or knifefish
Osteoglossidae Arapaima gigas Arapaima, giant arapaima, pirarucu
Osteoglossum spp
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum Arawana
Scleropages formosus Golden arowana
Pangasiidae—entire family Pangasius (22 spp)
Pangasius gigas Mekong giant catfish, shark catfishes, blue Shark
Helicophagus (3 spp)
Percidae Perca fluviatilis European perch
Pimelodidae Leiarius spp Sailfin antenna, saddle or painted catfish
Perrunichthys perruno Leopard catfish
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus Red tail catfish
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum Barred sorubim (tiger catfish)
Sorubim (5 spp) Duckbill catfish, shovelnose catfish
Sorubim lima
Sorubimichthys spp
Brachyplatysoma spp
Poeciliidae Alfaro (2 spp) Amazon or knifetail
Alfaro amazonus livebearer
Alfaro huberi
Heterandria spp
Heterandria bimaculata Two-spot livebearer
Tomeurus gracilis
Polypteridae Polypterus spp Birchirs or ropefish
Polypterus enlicheri
Polypterus retropinnis
Erpetoichthys spp
Erpetoichthys calabaricus
Potamotrygonidae Potamotrygon (18 spp) River stingrays
Paratrygon (1 spp)
Plesiotrygon (1 spp)
Protopteridae Protopterus (7 spp) ( excluding African lungfish) Pannectdens
Rivulidae Leptolebias spp
Leptolebias aureoguttatus
Leptolebias marmoratus
Leptolebias minimus
Leptolebias opalescens
Leptolebias opalescens
Schilbeidae Schilbe spp African butter catfish
Siluridae Ompok spp Butter catfish
Sandelia (2 spp) ctenopomas
Tetraodontidae Chelenodon spp (except C. patoca) Freshwater
Colomesus spp pufferfish
Chonerhinos (5 spp)
Carinotetraodon (6 spp)
Takifugu (~21 spp)
Auriglobus (1 sp)
Tetraodon

[giz]

Someone here in Perth has had Dimidichromis compressiceps seized and euthanased recently as they have never been an allowable import. Many cichlids have been in this country since way before 1982 but the onus is on us to prove it. There is nowhere to go to find out this information and no one here has enough authority to bash this up their arse. No lawyers seem to know enough about the biodiversity act with the cichlids... I have spent may hours googling for fish imports prior to 1984 and came up against a brick wall. The original quarantine act was introduced in 1904 and there is nothing to be found since then. The old documents may be in government archives somewhere but certainly no one has put them on the net. but once again,........ where to go to find out??
There will be nothing left but guppies and neons etc.

Nikki

[RedDevil]

I may be the only fishkeeper in Australia who agrees with theses measures. I still think that Australian import laws are antiquated and unnecessarily restrictive. However no-one ever seems to qusetion where all the new fish we can access are coming from. You can travel to aquarium shops in Perth and see African lungfish, Wallago catfish etc. Last year people here had European pikes and it isn't too hard to search on local forums and find cornsnakes and snapping turtles.
I myself get frustrated at the lack of availablity of the fish I want to keep (Honduran red points, Nandopsis motaguense, Nomorhamphus halfbeaks, leaf fish etc) but the laws are that they are not allowable imports and perhaps we should follow the laws. Perhaps we have not been so good at self regulation and require help from a government department.
Anyway it will be interesting to see what happens

[Vebas]

Today I have received a fax from an eastern states store - apparently there was a meeting on the 16th of October in regards to this - with a follow up meeting to be held on the 7th of November. It appears that there is a good chance of a lot of the grey list fish being made noxious quite soon..... I am waiting on a bit more information, as well as a draft letter that can be sent to the Chairman of the Working group, and also your local parliment member.

Cheers
Pacco

[Cicolid]

Thanks for that Pat.

Hopefully, Dr Stephanie Turner will be giving the PCS a talk on the Noxious & Grey List early in 2009. By then the whole picture should be clear.

Col