Canada
Importation of Ornamental Fish
In general, importations of ornamental aquatic organisms, especially tropical species held in hobby aquaria, are considered to pose a negligible risk of spreading disease(s) to local species. Thus, Canada, like many other countries, does not require special permits for the importation of aquatic organisms for the aquarium hobbyist. There are, however, some exceptions related to other risks posed to aquatic resources and habitat.
All species listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) may only be imported if a CITES certificate is obtained. Please see http://www.cites.org for current listing of species and http://www.cites.ec.gc.ca for relevant contact information. Hobby species that are genetically modified may be considered as new substances and may require notification under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). For more information on the New Substances program, please consult the Environment Canada site at http://www.ec.gc.ca/substances/nsb/eng/index_e.htm.
Some Provinces and DFO Regions require special permits for the importation of certain species of fish, e.g. Koi carp into British Columbia. Further information on BC?s requirements can be found at
http://www-heb.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/int...ransfers_e.htm . Requirements can be obtained through the relevant (receiving) provincial department responsible for fisheries, or the local Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) office.
A Department of Fisheries and Oceans licence, under Section 56 of the Fishery (General) Regulation or matching provincial licence is required for all importations or transfers of live fish and other aquatic species destined for release into fish habitat or for culturing in a fish rearing facilities. Detailed information on obtaining a licence can be found at
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/aqu...e/prelim_e.htm or from your local DFO or Provincial fishery authority office.
For information on how to dispose of aquarium fish, invertebrates or aquatic plants responsibly to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species, please go to the following Habitattitude website by the US Fish and Wildlife.
http://www.habitattitude.net/
If you have any questions related to aquatic disease concerns, please feel free to contact the National Registry of Aquatic Animal Health at the address below:
National Registry of Aquatic Animal Health
200 Kent Street, Station 12W114
Ottawa ON K1A 0E6
email:NRFD@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
PIJAC Canada
May 13, 2004
Changes to Regulations Regarding the Sale of Invasive Fish
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has made changes regarding the sale of live
invasive fish.
The purchase or sale of live invasive fish in Ontario, and the possession and transport of
these fish, causes public concern about possible escape or release of species that could
become established in Ontario waters. Harmful impacts to the aquatic ecosystem, to
recreational and commercial fisheries, as well as the high costs for control can be the result
of such invasions.
Given the potential impact of several high-risk species, the Ministry of Natural Resources
has amended Regulation 664/98 made under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
(FWCA) ? Fish Licensing ? to prohibit the buying or selling of the following live invasive
species:
- four species of carp (bighead, grass, black and silver);
- snakehead (all 28 species); and,
- two species of goby (round and tubenose).
The regulation is now in effect.
The regulation includes a prohibition on the buying and selling of snakeheads for aquaria
and grass carp for weed control in water gardens.
Pet shops with snakeheads in aquaria can no longer sell them and are encouraged to
dispose of them appropriately. Information of appropriate methods of disposal is available
on the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Invasive Species Hotline at 1-800-563-
7711. Pet Shop owners are reminded that it is illegal to dispose of these fish into Ontario
waters.
The regulation changes do not prohibit possession of these fish live. However, MNR intends
to seek a ban on live possession of these same fish through amendments to federal
legislation as outlined in the EBR posting mentioned below. If the federal government
proceeds with the regulatory changes for possession, MNR will notify you of the change end,
upon implementation of the regulations, the fish will have to be destroyed and disposed of in
an appropriate manner.
The decision notice can be accessed by searching for Registry Number RB04E6005 at
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/en...lish/index.htm.
Importation of Ornamental Fish
In general, importations of ornamental aquatic organisms, especially tropical species held in hobby aquaria, are considered to pose a negligible risk of spreading disease(s) to local species. Thus, Canada, like many other countries, does not require special permits for the importation of aquatic organisms for the aquarium hobbyist. There are, however, some exceptions related to other risks posed to aquatic resources and habitat.
All species listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) may only be imported if a CITES certificate is obtained. Please see http://www.cites.org for current listing of species and http://www.cites.ec.gc.ca for relevant contact information. Hobby species that are genetically modified may be considered as new substances and may require notification under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). For more information on the New Substances program, please consult the Environment Canada site at http://www.ec.gc.ca/substances/nsb/eng/index_e.htm.
Some Provinces and DFO Regions require special permits for the importation of certain species of fish, e.g. Koi carp into British Columbia. Further information on BC?s requirements can be found at
http://www-heb.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/int...ransfers_e.htm . Requirements can be obtained through the relevant (receiving) provincial department responsible for fisheries, or the local Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) office.
A Department of Fisheries and Oceans licence, under Section 56 of the Fishery (General) Regulation or matching provincial licence is required for all importations or transfers of live fish and other aquatic species destined for release into fish habitat or for culturing in a fish rearing facilities. Detailed information on obtaining a licence can be found at
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/aqu...e/prelim_e.htm or from your local DFO or Provincial fishery authority office.
For information on how to dispose of aquarium fish, invertebrates or aquatic plants responsibly to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species, please go to the following Habitattitude website by the US Fish and Wildlife.
http://www.habitattitude.net/
If you have any questions related to aquatic disease concerns, please feel free to contact the National Registry of Aquatic Animal Health at the address below:
National Registry of Aquatic Animal Health
200 Kent Street, Station 12W114
Ottawa ON K1A 0E6
email:NRFD@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
PIJAC Canada
May 13, 2004
Changes to Regulations Regarding the Sale of Invasive Fish
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has made changes regarding the sale of live
invasive fish.
The purchase or sale of live invasive fish in Ontario, and the possession and transport of
these fish, causes public concern about possible escape or release of species that could
become established in Ontario waters. Harmful impacts to the aquatic ecosystem, to
recreational and commercial fisheries, as well as the high costs for control can be the result
of such invasions.
Given the potential impact of several high-risk species, the Ministry of Natural Resources
has amended Regulation 664/98 made under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
(FWCA) ? Fish Licensing ? to prohibit the buying or selling of the following live invasive
species:
- four species of carp (bighead, grass, black and silver);
- snakehead (all 28 species); and,
- two species of goby (round and tubenose).
The regulation is now in effect.
The regulation includes a prohibition on the buying and selling of snakeheads for aquaria
and grass carp for weed control in water gardens.
Pet shops with snakeheads in aquaria can no longer sell them and are encouraged to
dispose of them appropriately. Information of appropriate methods of disposal is available
on the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Invasive Species Hotline at 1-800-563-
7711. Pet Shop owners are reminded that it is illegal to dispose of these fish into Ontario
waters.
The regulation changes do not prohibit possession of these fish live. However, MNR intends
to seek a ban on live possession of these same fish through amendments to federal
legislation as outlined in the EBR posting mentioned below. If the federal government
proceeds with the regulatory changes for possession, MNR will notify you of the change end,
upon implementation of the regulations, the fish will have to be destroyed and disposed of in
an appropriate manner.
The decision notice can be accessed by searching for Registry Number RB04E6005 at
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/en...lish/index.htm.