Imports of popular aquarium fish may be restricted
Wild Puntius denisonii could be banned if the Directive is introduced in its current format.
Imports of a wide range of popular wild-caught tropical fish could be restricted later this year when a new European Union Directive is introduced.Imports of barbs from the Puntius genus, Trichogaster gouramis, freshwater sharks from the Labeo genus, Channa snakeheads, Catla, Mastacembelus spiny eels and mullet from the Mugil genus could all be restricted when the EU Directive on Aquatic Animal Health comes into force in August 2008.
The Aquatic Animal Health Directive (known as 2006/88/EC) makes the fish diseases KHV (Koi Herpes Virus) and EUS (Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome) notifiable diseases throughout the EU and will introduce measures to control the import of susceptible fishes.
While KHV is currently believed to primarily affect the carp (Cyprinus carpio), EUS can potentially affect a much wider range of species, including a number of popular tropical aquarium fish.
If introduced, it is unlikely that Channa will remain available, as the vast majority are wild caught.
350 species covered
The Directive has listed the entire Puntius, Trichogaster, Mastacembelus, Labeo, Catla and Mugil genera as susceptible to the disease, and is proposing to restrict imports of the fish from areas not proven to be free of the disease.There are currently 126 Puntius, 28 Channa, 5 Trichogaster, 61 Mastacembelus, 105 Labeo, 18 Mugil and 3 Catla species recognised; so the list covers nearly 350 species.
No mention is made of a ban on closely related genera, which may contain fishes formerly in those genera listed in the Directive.
Since exporters who catch fish in the wild are unable to meet this requirement, the move could mean the end of all imports of members of these genera that are not bred in captivity at locations proven to be free of EUS.
Defra said: "All Member States of the European Union and some members of the European Economic Area including Norway, are required to put regulations in place to implement this directive by May 2008 and to bring them into force by August 2008.
"Some of the provisions are clearly obligatory and Member States must adopt them. Other areas provide flexibility and choices for the individual governments to make within the overall framework of the directive."
The Directive, which applies to the implementation of the EU legislation in England and Wales, is still in the consultation period and consultees have until March 7 2008 to respond to the proposals.
All Mastacembelus are covered by the Directive.
Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome
The disease responsible for the proposed change in legislation, Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome or EUS, is one that few fishkeepers will have heard of.It is believed to be a complex disease characterised by the presence of a fungi called Aphanomyces invadans and causes ulcer-like sores on the body, possibly due to secondary infections by opportunistic bacteria including Aeromonas hydrophila and A. sobria.
The fungus invades the body cavity and can lead to mass mortalities in a range of fish. Defra claims that the disease, which is seasonal, is of great importance and can affect wild and farmed fish in freshwater and estuarine areas.
EUS is endemic in south east Asia and south Asia and has recently been recorded in west Asia. It has not yet been recorded in the UK.
Trade opposition
The proposed blanket ban on entire genera is causing concern within the aquarium trade. International aqarium trade body Ornamental Fish International (OFI) said:"We cannot agree with the present EU list of susceptible genera. According to the information provided by Defra/OIE, only one species of Puntius and only one species of Labeo is susceptible to EUS and not a single species of Mastacembelus.
"OFI is currently discussing with the European Commission the issue of listing these complete genera. The present list, however, is published in the EU Directive 2006/88 and adaptation will need a change of the EU legislation."
Keith Davenport, the Chief Executive of the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) told Practical Fishkeeping: "The new Directive is supposed to apply measures proportionate to any risks identified. We have always argued that any measures must address real practical risks rather than theoretical possibilities identified by office based analyses.
"While disease has been reported in the genera listed as susceptible to EUS there is no evidence of imports for the ornamental trade causing problems in the EU. Thus many decades of practical experience has failed to reveal a practical risk.
"Even the directive itself recognises that ornamental fish, especially tropicals, held in aquariums and ponds do not pose the same risk as fish for stocking in the wild.
"We will continue to work with colleagues in other trade groups, especially OFI, to press the case for the Directive to be applied in a manner that is proportionate to the real risks involved."
Further information on the consultation on the Implementation of EU Legislation in England and Wales: Aquatic Animal Health Directive can be found on the Defra website.
All pictures by Neil Hepworth.
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Matt Clarke: 17.1.2008More: Defra
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Comments feed
"If these measures turn out to improve the welfare of these fish then I support them whole heartedly. At the end of the day keeping fish is just a hobby and should not be seen as more important. It's good to see when governing bodies make an effort with these issues, let's just hope they're right."
Posted by: Nathalie Pizzoferrato - 1 year, 10 months agoDate: Thursday January 17th, 2008, 6:58 pm
"Contrary to chatter on other forums, this is not a rumour. You can find further official confirmation of this Directive on the Defra website here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corp..."
Posted by: Matt Clarke - 1 year, 10 months agoDate: Thursday January 17th, 2008, 9:40 pm
"There is a key stumbling block here.
Exactly who decides the scientific name of a fish?
A paper proposes a name which may be deemed valid by the scientific community, a later paper then changes this, another one then changes it back. Often both names are used people using the name they agree with.
Are the EU and government going to issue new legislation every time a scientist produces a paper changing the scientific name of a fish?
Just about all the species of Puntius were originally in the Genus Barbus. How in law do you decide which scientific name is valid as there is no such thing as a defined offical name. So, will still it be legal to import Puntius sp. as long as they are labelled as Barbus sp. as there is no central authority to decide which name is valid?
Shurely Shome Mishtake? "
Date: Friday January 18th, 2008, 6:36 pm
"Only Puntius sophore si suspectible to this disease!?"
Posted by: Bojan Dolenc - 1 year, 10 months agoDate: Saturday January 19th, 2008, 5:19 pm
"Nathalie: It may be just a hobby to you but it is a serious source of income to many people and businesses."
Posted by: Matt Grokefish - 1 year, 10 months agoDate: Sunday January 20th, 2008, 11:59 pm
"There are some significant issues in the Directive. These are being covered in a separate article due for publication on the website shortly; we are currently waiting for official comment so could not add these to the story above in time for publication last week.
It's not the first time there has been some strange things added to legislation. The amendments to the Prohibition of Keeping or Release of Live Fish (Specified Species) Order in 1998 listed the entire Barbus genus. I believe they actually only meant to restrict the import of members of the Barbus barbus group, such as B. comiza, rather than all of the Barbus species from Africa..."
Date: Monday January 21st, 2008, 9:06 am
"Just heard that it is looking likely to be August when the restrictions begin , starting with Channa and Labeo. Not all the fish of each genera will be banned from import so some will still be available. Prices will be changed to take this into account though. A number of exporters and importers in Eastern Europe and in the U.S are trying to increase their stocks now to move into the gap it will create. Whether this is just rumour from the Far East and Europe or has some truth I don't know. "
Posted by: Chris Green - 1 year, 10 months agoDate: Tuesday January 22nd, 2008, 4:59 pm
"Well it is true (as stated above) that the Directive is definitely coming into force by August 2008. However, I have not heard that restrictions are starting with Channa and Labeo or anything about the species that may or may not be listed.
This sounds like a rumour to me. The UK Directive is still in the consultation period and will be until March 7 2008, so nobody knows what genera (if any) will remain on the final version until the end of that period, as far as I am aware. It would be unusual to have a consultation period and then announce the decision before the end of the period, as it doesn't give everyone the opportunity to respond. "
Date: Tuesday January 22nd, 2008, 6:56 pm
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 | Editor-in-Chief, Matt Clarke, writes the regular Interesting Imports column on rare and unusual fish in the UK aquarium trade. He's kept fish for 30 years and holds a degree, two higher degrees and two diplomas in fish biology, taxonomy and computational biology. |
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"I heard about the proposals late last year but I understood that OFI (and others as well) were in negotiations in order to ammend the list.
Posted by: Chris Green - 1 year, 10 months agoI can agree with stopping the importation of fishes that are susceptible and maybe fish not suitable for the aqautic trade in general but some of the fish to cease importation that they have on the list are common species and could have severe implications to the hobby. "
Date: Thursday January 17th, 2008, 12:41 pm