Publication Abstract

Preventing disease - illegal imports of live fish.

S. Maidment

The Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Sci­ence (CEFAS) is an executive agency of Defra and is respon­sible for preventing the spread of serious fish disease in Eng­land and Wales. The primary threat to UK fish stocks is per­ceived to be through diseases carried on illegally imported live coarse fish from the continent. Although Spring Virae­mia of Carp (SVC) and other viral diseases are the most likely diseases to be introduced, it is also possible for these species to act as carriers of the monogenean parasite Gyrodactylus salaries. This parasite has never been recorded in the UK, but if it were to arrive its impact on our indigenous fish would be potentially devastating, and would of course have serious repercussions for our fish farmers. For this and many other reasons the prevention of illegally imported live fish is a top priority for the CEFAS Fish Health Inspectorate.

Successful interceptions in recent years indicate that UK fish dealers are primarily responsible for illegally importing large carp, catfish, sturgeon and other species which are intended for sale to fisheries. However, it is known that individual anglers have also been involved in the trade. Such fish attract anglers to pay sizeable sums of money for the privilege of catching larger animals, or different species, than may other-wise be available. One consignment seized by the Inspector-ate in 2002 comprised 262 large carp which had been pur­chased cheaply in Belgium. The fish were found to be diseased with the SVC virus of a strain found previously only in Moldova.

Although the trade flourished over the past ten to fifteen years it is now believed to be declining due to (a) better pub­licity, (b) the more hostile attitude of some angling associa­tions and the angling press in the light of the disease threat, and (c) by the severity of sentences imposed on those con­victed of such offences. However, no one doubts that the trade still goes on.

Experience has shown that some offenders may use their own vehicle, whilst others will hire a van. Some will buy the fish cheaply, and others will just steal them. Some may ques­tion whether it is safe to try to come in through Dover whilst others may try alternative ports such as Harwich, Southamp­ton, or perhaps Portsmouth. Some will go out on one route and come back in on another to avoid inspection. Others may get some `extras' put in with a legitimate consignment. Some may do it themselves, whilst others will pay friends to go and catch them and bring them back. It is believed that some fish come in direct from eastern Europe whilst others are laun­dered in western Europe and smuggled in later. The welfare of the fish and the threat of spreading disease is of no impor­tance to those involved.

The CEFAS inspectorate publicly declared some time ago that it would never be able to stop illegal imports of live fish on its own, and it sought the help of other agencies, anglers, the press and people in the fish and fisheries trade at home and abroad. That help has been forthcoming, due in large part to the dedication and leadership provided by English Carp Heritage Organisation (ECHO) and the support of the angling press. These efforts have not been directed only towards helping CEFAS stop illegal consignments coming in, but are aimed specifically at `education - not condemnation,' thus effectively increasing the awareness of the problem and reducing the market for smuggled foreign fish.

CEFAS, along with colleagues in the Environment Agency, police, HM Customs, State Veterinary Service and other agen­cies at home and abroad are aware of the situation and of the likely increase in smuggling activity during the early months of 2004. The Gendarmerie and the Garde de Peche are more than a little interested in events in France, as are the RVV inspectors in Holland. Continental angling associations have also expressed a particular interest in preventing their fish being taken.

The results of this co-ordinated approach have been impressive. However, CEFAS cannot claim that everything is perfectly in place and that no fish will come in illegally. What it can claim, however, is that with this continuing support, life for the smuggler is likely to be less comfortable and less prof­itable in future. Their miserable activities are no longer ac­ceptable to a growing number of dedicated anglers and fish­ery owners, thus the chances of them being identified, caught and prosecuted have significantly improved.

We will be doing as much as we can to stop disease being brought into the^,country, but we can do so much more with good information.

Reference:

S. Maidment. 2004. Preventing disease - illegal imports of live fish. Fish Farming Today 186 186