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Ref:533/03 |
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AUSTRALIA
- Feb 6, 2003 |
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Exotic fish being smuggled
into Australia |
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Large
numbers of exotic fish are being smuggled into Australia,
potentially carrying diseases that could wipe out the
aquaculture industry - not to mention native marine life.
A national survey of Australian waters last year found over
1,000 species of exotic fish.
In the past they have arrived accidentally in the ballast
tanks of large ships, but now authorities say the problem is
people smuggling in fish the for sale in private aquariums.
South Australian director of fisheries Will Zacharin says
all sorts of nasties are coming in.
"Some of the things that have come into, particularly the
eastern states [and] ports, have included things like
piranha that people have tried to smuggle in with pretty
fish from other countries," he said.
"It's going to be a serious job in the next few years for
all Australian states and territories to look at improving
the arrangements for the import of fish into Australian and
complimentary management across state borders." |
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