The experts haven't said anything Peter - Just "No."
That doesn't seem like much of a well reasoned scientific opinion based on
data and deduction. If they had offered some reasons that could be examined
it would make their stance a little more tolerable - at least you offer an
emotional one (somewhat amazingly) i.e. you want the natural ecosystem to
stay in a similar state for others in the future to be able to appreciated
as you have.
The fish are going to come in anyway, illegally if necessary, as has been
happening atready. So let's pull our heads out of the sand instead of
waiting for the inevitable disaster that will occur if the present
arrangemants continue and design some conditions , advice, guidelines
whatever for the orderly importation of these fish. I really cannot see
that they are any more dangerous than Barbs, Tetras, Danios, Rasboras etc
which are freely allowed and in many cases are not as attractive.
Regards,
Bruce.
Bruce Hansen, ANGFA, caring for our aquatic ecosystems.
Please visit us at http://www.ozemail.com.au/~fisher/angfa.htm