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NT Ornamentals Government Sumbission Committees Select | Sessional | Standing Environment and Sustainable Development Terms of Reference INQUIRY, INVASIVE SPECIES AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS The following matter be referred to the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee for inquiry and report - (1) The Northern Territory's capacity to prevent new incursions of invasive species, and to implement effective eradication and management programs for such species already present; and (2) That the committee in its inquiry will: a) begin its investigations by engaging the scientific community to conduct a scientific summit on invasive species; (b) use case studies to inform the analysis, and will draw its case studies from a range of invasive species; (c) while investigating the value of control programs, focus on community based management programs for weeds and feral animal control; and (d) as a result of its investigations and analysis will recommend relevant strategies and protocols for government in dealing with future incursions and current problem species. 1 A Proactive Approach to Reducing Accidental and Intentional Introductions of Ornamental Fish Species into Natural Waters of the Northern Territory: A Case for Control through Minor Legislative Changes and a Public Education Program. Dave Wilson National President ANGFA Inc. PO Box 756 Howard Springs NT 0835 Scoot Andresen Pet Industry of Association Australia NT Coordinator PO Box 3029 Alice Springs NT 0871 Summary This document is intended to outline what the Community and the Aquarium Traders can do toward reducing the risks of the introduction unwanted ornamental species. It gives an alternative view to Fisheries Administrators tendencies to ban everything on the grounds that is the safest thing to do for environmental protection. It gives reasons why prohibition is not safe practice among the fish keeping community. It may also be against the principles of the Constitution to have free trade in other states of all the allowable fish species but not the NT. It outlines the popularity of keeping ornamental fish, the reason why people keep ornamental fish and the possible implication of banning more species in the NT than are banned at a federal level. The report outlines simple legislative changes that will help protect the natural waterways of the NT by increasing public awareness and giving the public a set of guidelines to reduce the risks of accidental introductions of fish and fish disease to natural water ways while still allowing them to have all the species approved by the federal government. An important consideration is that 64% of Australians have pets. After cats and dogs fish are the most popular. Thirty percent of all pets are fish. If Fisheries Administrators continue to ban fish species that are allowable imports under federal legislation then there is likely to be some sort of protest. 2 Key points to consider • The keeping of ornamental fish has a history that goes back some 4000 years (See 3d for detail) • The popularity of keeping fish is increasing. (See 3e, 4a & 4b for detail) • Parts of the current legislation supposed to regulate the comercial trade are illogical and un-enforceable (See 2, 4h,4i, 4m & 4o for detail) • Abitrary banning of species available elswhere will not stop their importation into the NT. (See 2, 4h, 4p & 5 for detail) • Many aquarium keepers are currently largely unaware of the potential risks associated with improper management of exotic species. This is dispite an inherant respect for the natural aquatic environment (See 4h, 4i, 4j, 4m, 4n & 4o for detail) • Some simple legislative changes, in conjunction with an education program, will provide far more environmental protection than the current Fisheries approach simply banning species. (See 4j, 4m, 4n, 4o & 5 for detail) 3 Contents 1. Issue 2. Introduction 3. Background 3 a. Adverse Impacts of introduced Exotic Ornamental Fish 3 b. Protection of the Northern Territory Aquatic Environment 3 c. The Philosophy of Keeping Fish 3 d. The History of Keeping fish 3 e. Aquariums in recent times 4. Discussion 4 a. Increasing Popularity of Aquariums, Ponds and Water Features 4 b. Promotion and Availability of Ornamental Fish 4 c. Exotic Freshwater Fish Species Known to have Established in Australia 4 d. Adverse Ecological Impacts 4 e. Incursions of Diseases attributed to Ornamental Fish 4 f. Exotic Ornamental Fish Species Known to have Established in the Northern Territory 4 g. Factors Increasing Likelihood of Establishment of Exotic Ornamental Species 4 h. Pathways for Establishment of Exotic ornamental Fish in the Northern Territory 4 i. NT Legislation Definition of Aquarium 4 j. Quarantine and Risks of Disease Incursion: Aquaria Versus Ponds 4 k. Current Federal Legislation 4 l. The EPBC Act and current assessment system 4 m. Current NT Legislation 4 n. Proposed Education for Exotic Ornamental Fish Species 4 o. Unwanted Fish 4 p. Consequence of Banning Ornamental Fish Species 5. Conclusion 6. Recommendations 7. References 4 1. Issue A Proactive Approach to Reducing Accidental and Intentional Introductions of Ornamental Fish Species into Natural Waters of the Northern Territory: A Case for Control through Minor Legislative Changes and a Public Education Program. 2. Introduction The Aquarium Industry relies on new and interesting fishes to keep the interest of fish collectors and to increase trade. Due to the retrictions imposed upon the aquarium industry in the Northern Territory, the range of aquarium species commercially available is limited. Accordingly, Territorians travel interstate to acquire their aquarium fish to bring him to the Territory, and consequently and unwittingly break the law. Aquarium keepers seek new species regularly and the aquarium industry attempts to provide new and interesting species. The Department responsible for ornamental fish has not let any new species into the NT trade even though at least six species have been approved on a National level for inclusion on the allowable ornamental list. This submission is an attempt to provide mechanisms that allow all the new nationally approved aquarium species to be used in the NT, with minimum risks to the environment from so-called invasive species from the aquarium trade. The NT Fisheries Department has a policy that excludes most of the aquarium fish species in circulation in Australia. The NT list of species is even less than the allowable list for export into Australia under the provisions of the EPBC Act. This document presents a case for a review of current policies regarding the control of ornamental fish being introduced into the Northern Territory to protect the aquatic environments of the Territory from the adverse impacts of exotic aquarium species. Recommendations are made for simple changes to the legislation, and a case is made for the implementation of a public education program relating to the dangers of exotic introduced fish species. The education program has the requirement for the private aquarist to have knowledge of the dangers of escaped ornamental fish, their diseases and management of potential disease in contaminated waters under their control. A successful education program will result in a much reduced risk of introduction of ornamental fish into natural waters, ownership of healthier fish and a more knowledgable aquarium operator. 5 3. Background 3 a. Adverse Impacts of introduced Exotic Ornamental Fish The intentional or unintentional release and subsequent establishment of exotic ornamental fish species in natural waterways has had major adverse impacts on aquatic environments in Australia and elsewhere. Numerous examples exist of exotic fish causing serious, and in some cases, irreversible damage to aquatic ecosystems. Adverse impacts of exotic ornamental fish may be divided into two categories, (1) ecological disruption; and (2) incursions of disease. Numerous examples exist of ecological disruption associated with the establishment of exotic species of fish in new locations. Bomford and Glover (2004), and Humphrey (1995) identified at least 88 diseases, pathogens and parasites, many of them serious and capable of causing severe disease, which had been spread internationally due to the translocation of living fish. Other adverse impacts include habitat disruption through introduced fish digging in the substrate and silting the natural waters causing aquatic vegetation to die off from light disruption. Invaders can overwhelm locals by occupying their space and competing for available food resources. 3 b. Protection of the Northern Territory Aquatic Environment The Northern Territory has major social, economic and scientific interests in maintaining its high profile, unspoilt natural environment and image. Tourism is to a large part dependent on the promotion of the Territory’s pristine environment and relies heavily on promoting the flora and fauna associated with aquatic ecosystems in particular. Fisheries and aquaculture depend on healthy natural aquatic environments. The Territory is fortunate that it has a well managed, sustainable commercial and recreational fishery and an environment where aquaculture can proceed in the absence of many serious diseases that limit or preclude aquaculture elsewhere. The scientific importance of Territory aquatic ecosystems is paramount, with new species of fish and invertebrates being described, local strains of fish and invertebrates being used for aquaculture and with the potential of bio-harvesting of unique Territory species. 3 c. The Philosophy of Keeping Fish
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