BANGKOK, 11 October 2017 (NNT) – The Department of Fisheries is stepping up control of foreign aquatic animals in the country in a bid to avert ecological damage.


Many invasive aquatic species have been discovered by fisheries officials in Thailand’s natural waterways, including suckerfish, golden apple snails, red-eared terrapins, blackchin tilapia and peacock bass. The introduction of such foreign species has seriously threatened native aquatic life, compromised ecological balance and inflicted losses on aquaculture farmers.


To tackle this problem, the Department of Fisheries has drawn up measures for preventing further spread of the invasive species and is in the process of drafting a secondary law to bar their imports into the Kingdom. Specialists are also being sent out to survey various waterways so as to exterminate any introduced creatures found.


However, the ban, once in effect, will only apply to certain types or species of imported aquatic animals while importers will be required to first seek permission from the Institutional Biosafety Committee.


Violators of the import ban will be subject to a jail term of no more than one year or a fine of no more than one million baht or both. Those found guilty of releasing foreign species into nature will face a jail term up to two years or a fine up to two million baht or both.


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