Science Centres: Aquatic Biodiversity and Biosecurity

Amphiprion melanopus, an anemone fish which occurs naturally in parts of Australia. (Photo: Photo: Malcolm Francis, NIWA)

Regulation of the marine aquarium trade is necessary to protect species and habitats in both the countries of origin and import. A NIWA team, led by Dr Don Morrisey, has been working with the Australian Federal Government to characterise the nature of the trade and aid its regulation.

In 2006, Australia imported around 280 000 individuals belonging to over 200 species and 35 families. Although live fish imports are strictly regulated, species now banned for import but imported legally in the past, and illegally smuggled specimens, can still be traded fairly easily within the country. These species pose a potential threat to Australia’s native species and habitats should they escape into the wild.

The trade is difficult to regulate because its scale is unknown, it involves large numbers of individual hobbyists, and legislation and practice vary among states. To get better information on the nature of the trade, the NIWA team undertook a telephone survey of traders and examined government and other import data. They also reviewed how well legislation relating to the movement and keeping of live marine organisms could deal with potential pest  species.

The survey identified a general lack of awareness within the trade of the significance of pest species. One recommendation was for regulators and the industry to undertake a collaborative educational effort to help safeguard Australia’s marine habitats.

Amphiprion melanopus, an anemone fish which occurs naturally in parts of Australia but is also imported from overseas to supply the aquarium trade. If introduced to areas outside its known natural range, it could potentially adversely affect native species or habitats. Smuggled specimens that have not been quarantined could also introduce diseases or parasites to local populations.