I Heard A Rumour

[Gill]

I heard that Chinese High Fin Sharks are no longer illegal in the UK.
Anyone else heard about this, because they are on some supplier lists that i have been able to lok at.

 

[nmonks]

They are still listed by DEFRA as being fish that require a license.

What appears on lists of fish offered to dealers is neither here nor there. I've seen various supposedly illegal fish and invertebrates in aquarium shops in the recent past. The law really isn't easily enforceable, and depends much more on retailers knowing what is and isn't legal, and then acting accordingly.

Cheers, Neale

 

[Gill]

They are still listed by DEFRA as being fish that require a license.

What appears on lists of fish offered to dealers is neither here nor there. I've seen various supposedly illegal fish and invertebrates in aquarium shops in the recent past. The law really isn't easily enforceable, and depends much more on retailers knowing what is and isn't legal, and then acting accordingly.

Cheers, Neale

thanks, thought it was to good to be true. pity as they are beautiful as juveniles

 

[ryan2170]

why are they illegal?

 

[nmonks]

They aren't any more illegal than owning a television set; but to legally own this and other exotic coldwater fish you need to obtain a license. Actually obtaining a license is probably not going to be that easy though. The idea is that only fish labs, public aquaria, etc would have access to these licenses; in other words, people who can be trusted not to release these fish into the wild. So while aquarists might be able to get a license, I'd imagine DEFRA would expect you to jump through various hoops first!

Why letting these fish get into the wild is explained nicely on the DEFRA page:

As demonstrated by zander and signal crayfish, the introduction of non-native species of fish and shellfish can have far-reaching and undesirable ecological consequences... It is therefore vital if we are to protect native species and their habitat and conserve the unique diversity of animal and plant life in our rivers and stillwaters that we restrict the spread of non-native fish species.

Historically, aquarists have not been very good at preventing fish getting into the wild. There are lots of exotic species all over the world that certainly got to those places thanks to the aquarium hobby. Kribensis in Hawaii, oscars in Florida, etc.

Cheers, Neale

why are they illegal?

 

[OohFeeshy]

It's a good job that they're not regularly imported- if they were, it'd take the blink of an eye for them to become the next pangasius. Only worse, because they're bigger. And not as good looking as they change into an adult, thus more likely to be dumped.