Koi Ban

[Ron C]

I just heard that Koi are banned in Australia. I heard this from an Australian, so I guess it is true. Does anyone have any idea why they would do such a thing? !bonk

[Terri]

CaptK is in austraila, he can tell you the specifics. So far as I am aware it is because they do not want to introduce non'native species into the country - disease is a factor in this - I believe carp are quite a nuisance there already.

[Terri]

http://www.biotechnology.gov.au/biotechnologyOnline/environment/pest_species/e_carp.htm

[Dayleen]

They are also on the restricted species list in the province of British Columbia. The only province in Canada with such a restriction. They are illegal without an import permit and mandatory 21 day quarantine by the Fisheries and Oceans.....Joy :-?

[Jackie Ramo]

Dayleen do you mean your fish are held by the gov't for quarantine or do they make you hold them?

[Ron C]

Thanks Terri that link has some good information. I still don't get why they can't keep Koi in their private ponds, they aren't in the waterways

[Ron C]

Well this is really getting interesting. I followed a link off that page and it says that is NSW they are a Class 3 noxious species

Direct cut and paste
NOTE: Unlike Class 1 and 2 species – which pose greater degrees of threat to the aquatic environment and are subject to different rules – Class 3 species may still be kept in aquaria, garden ponds and farm dams, and may still be bought and sold. However, an education and awareness campaign will be carried out to discourage their possession and sale, particularly in the coastal rivers where carp are not yet established.

[captk]

I can't claim to be an expert on this but I think Ron is right. Koi is not banned. You can certainly buy, sell and stock koi. On the other hand, the common carp is a total pest in many inland river systems and they have crowded out many native species. While carps were imported in the 1850's in Sydney. They were sold to farmers in the 1960's but in the 70's they really spread out and became a real problem. :(

[Busy B]

Fish and Game is not happy to have them here, but pike present more of a problem than carp. It's the ones that no longer want them that put them into a river or a lake or if you live close to a flood plain.