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Controls on the Keeping or Release of Non-Native Fish in England and WalesThe Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA) controls the release of
all non native species, and certain undesirable established residents,
into the wild The Prohibition of Keeping or Release of Live Fish (Specified Species) Order 1998) made under the Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act (1980) (ILFA), introduced further controls on the keeping and release of particular species. The list of species covered by the measures was subsequently extended, with regard to England, on 03/12/2003 by the Prohibition of Keeping or Release of Live Fish (specified species) (amendment) (England) Order 2003. An equivalent Order to cover Wales is due in March '2003.These are listed in Table 1, new species may be added to the list if these are considered to be a potential threat. Those wishing to keep grass carp, sturgeon / sterlet and ameiurid (ictalurid) catfish in garden ponds and indoor aquaria, or red shiners and fathead minnows (Roseyreds) in indoor aquaria (other than aquaria on retail or wholesale premises) are covered by a general licence and need not apply for individual licences. In all other cases an individual licence will be required,if you wish
to keep or release non-native fish.
Note: The general licence for ictalurid catfish will
be reviewed in 2003.
Licences issued under ILFA or WCA do not exempt the holder from their requirement to obtain Section 30 (other than introductions onto Registered Farm Sites) consent from the Environment Agency for any release of fish to any inland water (other than a registered fish farm). Application procedure
Please Note: You need to obtain a licence prior to getting your fish. Completed applications should be sent to: Licences will be issued free of charge. The following organisations may be consulted before a licence is issued: Environment Agency, English Nature (or the Countryside Council for Wales) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). Applications will be processed as quickly as possible, but more complex applications may take up to 2 months. There will be a general presumption against the issue of licences for the introduction of the species in Table 1. Licences will only be issued where a species is considered appropriate and where site security is considered to be adequate. There may be conditions placed on the licence and a licence may even be time limited. Offences and penaltiesUnder the ILFA Order an offence will have been committed if a person:
Failure to comply with licence conditions may result in licences being revoked and possible prosecution. Maximum penalties of up to £2,500 can be enforced in cases of non-compliance with the legislation. Depending on circumstances, illegally stocked fish may have to be removed and destroyed. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 an offence will have been committed by any person who releases or allows to escape into the wild any non-native fish. A person guilty of such an offence shall be liable:
Additional InformationSimple guidelines can be found in the "Controls on the keeping or release of non-native fish in England and Wales" leaflet. Copies are also available from the Environment Agency or Defra. For information on EU import requirements click here. For information on non-EU import requirements click here. The confidential CEFAS Hotline number in relation to possible illegal imports is 01305 206681. General enquiries may also be addressed to your local Environment Agency office. If you are unsure who to contact, or which is your local office, please call the general enquiry line: 0645 333 111. ILFA guidelines - for the latest document click here
* Species and genera added to the Prohibition of Keeping or Release of live Fish (specified species) Order 1998 as of February 2003 |
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