>I really don't know, I'm sure though it has decreased the numbers of
>those prohibited species relative to before the ban.
Peter, Peter, I'm terribly, terribly disappointed. You're just like the rest
of the uninformed Academics when it comes to the Australian aquarium hobby
and what is really out there, even Mulder & Scully would be surprised.
Perhaps you've been away too long?
I would estimate from my knowledge and contacts that the number of
prohibited species has more than quadrupled (actually, its probably even a
lot higher than that) since that legislation was introduced. The last 5
years has seen a plethora of prohibited species entering Australia. Had the
Government had a more liberalized and sensible approach toward the aquarium
hobby and a reasonable list of approved species then I don't think we would
have had as many of these species come in. The current approved list which
has had a few additions since it first came into force wouldn't represent
10% of the number of species currently available in Australia. Its a bit
like eating chocolate in front of starving children and telling them they
cant have any. You would be truly amazed to find what you can get if you are
willing to pay the money!
For the benefit of our overseas list members, the current list of approved
species allowed into Australia contains 8 species of African cichlids, 12
American cichlids, 15 tetras, 5 catfish + all corydoras, 18 barbs, 17
rasboras, 3 hatchetfish, 6 sharks, 11 gouramis, 6 danios, 7 common
livebearers, 4 loaches, a few killies and 21 other miscellaneous species
plus goldfish of course and NO rainbowfishes or blue-eyes. Wow! what a
smorgasbord ;-) There are currently another 10 species under consideration
but what they are I don't know.
>If the authorities suspect wrong doing you won't have the chance of
>liberating them, they will just conviscate them on the spot. I do
>understand what you are saying though. I don't have any answers, just
>issues to raise.
Do you have any idea how many people keep prohibited species (Rainbowfish
keepers are the least of your worries). There are around 2 million people in
Australia that keep fish, most wouldn't even know if they had prohibited
species in their aquariums. The Government will need an army of Fish Police
to raid every home in Australia that has prohibited aquarium species. The
popular bristle-nose catfish is one that comes to mind. This species is sold
by the thousands every day of the week in hundreds of pet stores right
around the Country, yet is a prohibited species.
Adrian.
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Adrian R. Tappin
"Home of the Rainbowfish"
http://www.ecn.net.au/~atappin/home.htm
http://www.angfa.org/rainbowfish/home.htm
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