Biggest ever seizure of carp at Dover

During the early hours of Friday 26th February 2010 UK Border Agency Officers at the Port of Dover, working in conjunction with the Government’s Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), intercepted the largest ever consignment of live Carp from France. The 120 fish weighing between 25 – 50lbs were discovered in four pallet sized containers supported by oxygen cylinders in the rear of a Volvo FH12 lorry.

The Inspectorate, based at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, advises that it is illegal to import live coldwater fish unless from an EU “approved” zone and accompanied by a movement document issued by an authorised veterinary inspector.

The fish were confiscated and, in line with FHI / Defra policy, were subsequently destroyed to ensure that no disease is spread from their possible introduction into UK waters.

The driver of the lorry, a 49year old man from Horsham in West Sussex has been reported with a view to prosecution and enquiries are continuing to identify others involved.

Stuart Katon, the FHI’s Enforcement and Investigations Officer said: “We are stepping up our `intelligence led` fight against illegal importations and working closely with other agencies to target organised groups. This is an excellent result but we still need everyone in the angling community to remain vigilant and to report any information regarding this type of illegal activity to us in order that we can continue to be proactive in the future.”

More information about the importation of live fish may be found by visiting www.efishbusiness.co.uk/imports/default.asp. Or contact the Fish Health Inspectorate directly on 01305 206700 / fhi@cefas.co.uk.

Stuart Katon can be contacted on 01305 20681. All enquiries and any information supplied about potentially illegal movements of live fish will be dealt with in strict confidence.

Notes to editors

1. Cefas is the UK’s largest and most diverse applied marine science organisation. Bridging the interface between science, policy and delivery, it operates as an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It provides evidence-based scientific advice, manages related data and information, conducts world-class scientific research, and facilitates collaborative action through wide-ranging relationships. Working both in the UK and internationally, it plays a vital role in securing healthy marine and freshwater environments. It has over 500 staff, two UK laboratories (in Lowestoft and Weymouth), its own ocean-going research vessel, and over 100 years of experience. For more detail about its range of activities visit www.cefas.co.uk.
2. The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), based at Cefas’ Weymouth laboratory, is dedicated to maintaining and improving fish and shellfish health in England and Wales. Its primary role is to act for Defra and Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) in undertaking statutory and inspection duties resulting from the EU Fish Health regime and other national legislation in the area of fish and shellfish health. The Inspectorate is responsible for health certification of fish and shellfish movements from other countries, and runs an enforcement programme aimed at preventing the illegal importation of these animals. For more about movement controls and enforcement visit www.cefas.co.uk/fhi/movements.htm.
3. Smuggled fish pose a great risk of spreading disease to indigenous fish stocks and within native waters. Upon arrival in the UK, their original country of origin is often undetermined, and their health status and certification may also be uncertain. Simply deporting the fish back to their assumed country of origin does not stop repeated attempts to import them via another entry point.
4. Quarantine facilities at ports do not offer the best option for controlling potential fish diseases. In addition, continuing to keep fish in confined conditions (where they may have already been in transit for long periods) introduces further welfare issues. Therefore, humanely destroying the fish ensures that the UK remains disease-free, as much as practicable.