Import of aquarium fish banned |26 March 2015

The importation of all aquarium living organisms into the country has been banned with immediate effect.

A communique from the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change said that the ministry, in collaboration with the veterinary services, the bio-security committee and the Ministry of Finance, has imposed the ban following recent concerns over possible introduction of a fungus that has been identified as the main source of a disease that is killing amphibians.

Seychelles is unique among mid oceanic islands as having a high number of amphibians which are found nowhere else. There are a recorded number of six endemic frogs including the world’s tiniest sooglossid frogs and seven caecilians species that are confined to the granitic islands such as Mahé, Praslin and Silhouette. Islands like Mauritius, Reunion, Hawaii do not have a single native amphibian species.

Globally, there has been a significant decline in amphibians that were once common. Many scientific records show evidence that this decline is attributable to the chytrid fungus. This fungus is mostly transmitted through the pet trade and importation of live freshwater organisms. Seychelles has had many screening programmes for this fungus but so far the tests have been negative.

In light of the above, internal discussions were held and it was agreed that the best way to prevent any unwanted introduction of the fungus is to impose a ban on importation of live tropical aquarium organisms.

The ministry and its partners are considering ways on how to issue license to certain registered local companies who will have to produce relevant documents obtained from regulated overseas facilities that have good health screening system in place.

These importers, once they have complied with certain conditions, will be able to import and distribute aquarium fish on the local market.