FISHING MINISTRY BANS INVASIVE FISH SPECIES

The Ministry of Fisheries has announced that special regulations are being prepared under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No. 2 of 1996 to control invasive fish species.

This decision follows a request from environmentalists and ornamental fish producers.

According to a ministry statement, the draft regulations have been sent to the Legal Draftsman's Department and will be gazetted as soon as they are approved.

The ban will apply to four specific species: Piranha, Knife fish, Alligator Gar, and Red Line Snakehead.

The new regulations will completely prohibit the import, export, possession, sale, breeding, transport, and release of these fish species into reservoirs or waterways.