Some experts have raised concern over the increase in the import of alien fishes like ornamental fishes to the country. The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) even has urged the government to come up with quarantine facilities at major seaports and airports so that its expansion could be controlled.
- Not only the alien fishes but other invasive alien species are posing a threat to country’s native species threat include fishes too.
- Ornamental Fish: The government of India has only approved the import of 92 species of ornamental fish but the number of ornamental fish species being imported and in trade is somewhere between 200-300.
- These concerns were raised at the ‘Economic and Ecological Impacts of Invasive Alien Species’ meeting organised by the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) and the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN) from February 21-23.
- According to The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), the huge market for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) is turning out to be major threat to India’s aquatic biodiversity.
- Fish import sources: Most of the fish are imported from southeast Asian countries.
- Kolkata and Chennai have emerged as major hubs for the trade of ornamental fish in the country
- Challenges: The export of such species has increased at an average annual rate of 14%.
- Even such species have reached to sensitive areas such as the Western Ghats.
- An ornamental species namely ‘Suckermouth catfish’ which is also called a ‘tank cleaner’ of aquariums, has spread to almost all freshwater ecosystems and outnumbers other native fish by feeding on their larvae and competing with them for food resources.
- Sollution: Under the Centre for Biodiversity and Policy and Law (CEBPOL), the NBA is trying to bring out a national list of Invasive Alien Species.
What is an Ornamental Fish?
- Ornamental fishes are attractive colourful fishes of various characteristics, which are kept as pets in confined space of an aquarium or a garden pool for fun and fancy.
- These fishes are usually kept in glass aquarium and hence popularly known as ”Aquarium Fishes”.
- India’s ornamental fish export has touched Rs 9.5 crore in 2016.
- The Union Environment Ministry has banned the display and sale of 158 species and has made mandatory the appointment of a full-time fisheries expert for monitoring the health of the fishes in the tank apart from bringing out rules on tank size, volume of water and stocking density.
What is CEBPOL?
- CEBPOL is a bilateral collaboration between the Indian and Norwegian governments which was signed on 19th November, 2010. National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has proposed to start a Centre for Biodiversity Policy and Law (CEBPOL) to deal with emerging and current biodiversity governance and policy related issues.
Invasive Alien Fish species In India
- Giant Gourami (Osphronemus goramy): Found in Kerala, Hyderabad and Chennai, it survives in polluted water and carries pathogens and viruses.
- Tinny Guppy Fish: Found in Chalauddy river, Kerala
- American Catfish (Loricariidae): Found in Adyar river, Chennai, it disturbs the aquatic food chain. They are also called suckers due to their gluttonous algae eating habits.
- Gold fish (C. auratus): Found in Mumbai and Pune, it depletes aquatic vegetation and reduces spawning sites for native fishes. It also feeds on larva and eggs of native fishes.
- Three spot Gourami: Found in Chennai and Vemband lake in Kerala, it is an opportunistic carnivore.
About The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
- The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established at Chennai (Tamilnadu) by the Central Government in 2003 to implement India’s Biological Diversity Act (2002).
- The NBA is a Statutory Body and it performs facilitative, regulatory and advisory functions for the Government of India on issues of conservation, sustainable use of biological resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources.
