Tighter regulations target exotic fish |14 March 2005

Certain types of aquarium fish have now been banned from import altogether.

The move comes in response to the discovery of another alien species in Seychelles’ freshwater ecosystems, called gouramy, which was found in rivers at Anse aux Pins and Bel Eau recently.

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources believes such invasive species are the result of aquarium owners dumping excess or unwanted fish directly into rivers or wetlands without considering the consequences of such actions.

According to the ministry’s director of conservation, Selby Remie, invasives like the gouramy, the guppy and the red-eared slider turtle could spell trouble for local endemic freshwater species, including the gouzon and the Seychelles terrapin.

A new freshwater fish species and a new goby, along with several new endemic crustaceans discovered recently, has also put more emphasis on the importance of freshwater systems.

Mr Remie said invasive species could out-compete local ones for food, or simply eat the endemic species outright. Either way, their presence could be disastrous for the freshwater environment, he said, and could lead to the extinction of local species.

The new regulations would hopefully help “close the door” on any additional species.

The Department of Environment, together with overseas partners like the World Conservation Union, has prepared a temporary list of species that will not be allowed entry based on invasiveness and biodiversity concerns.

Restricted species so far include: most fish from the catfish family, any eels or crustaceans (except for farming purposes), freshwater sharks, some fish from the Goldfish family, some from the Koi family, all freshwater snails and turtles or terrapins, and all piranhas. Importation of all aquatic plants is already banned.

Mr Remie noted that the ministry would work to finalise a complete inventory of what kinds of fish have been imported to Seychelles.

Existing laws are adequate in restricting the importation of most live animals like reptiles, but this hasn’t been the case with imported fish, said Dr Jimmy Melanie of Veterinary Services.

Until changes are made in the law, the ministry is extending regulations that would require importers to apply to the ministry for the importation of fish at least one month in advance, to allow officials to investigate the impact a certain species could bring with it.

Applications will have to include both the scientific and common name of the species, the country of origin, the quantity and the purpose of importation.