Rant about NT fisheries

[ndoboi]

Hi all,
Wanted to get this off my chest before I go postal....

You are allowed to keep any fish that is on the allowable import list in the NT, with 7 exceptions (im sure it will soon be 8 - L168..). Anything else is prohibited and not allowed as it never legally arrived in Australia (their stance).
This is designed to minimise the risk of fish being released into the wild and going feral (there are reports of live-bearers and jewel cichlids having feral populations).

You cannot sell any fish without an aquaculture licence. full stop. No hobby trade.

Does this sound absurd to anyone else??? What does little Jimmy (or me, in the future!) do with his fish that, as fish are prone to do, breed and raise fry?? He cant sell them, he cant keep them (unless he keeps buying more and more and more fish tanks) and he certainly doesnt want to kill his precious little guys.... Seems like the system is setting people up to release them into the wild! STUPID.

I have even had to apply for an import permit and licence to keep Charlie!! Funny thing - the form asks for proof of purchase from a legal source... He's 15yrs old for F&*K sake, I dont have any proof. Hoping they'll let that one pass...

Im really pissed off about this (if you couldnt tell.... :roll: )
Cheers
Steve

[Clarkii]

G'Day mate, These laws have the foul stench of political interferance. Rather than common sense, science & education being applied in drafting laws that  have understanding of the issues. All these laws will do is drive the hobbiests that breed fish to sell to support their hobby underground & the breeding & sales will continue as no one will get rid of their pets.
I must say I am not suprised that NT fisheries has acted this way as QLD fisheries has a real problem with feral populations of Tilapia, supprisingly they dont ask people to catch the offending fish as they will fine you for possesing them to eat ?????????????? so what do you do?, & dont worry NSW fisheries are even worse.
It certainly makes you wonder are they well informed or do they make knee jerk reactions??.
Anyhow I've had my rant  :x  :x  I'll go now.

[hareysfish]

mate its not only NT .the qld fisheries tried to bring in the same laws about 6yrs ago. the fisheries even went through and destroyed  a hobbiest here in gladstone as they reckon she was to big for a hobbiest and should have been a business. they also were rantin and raving on about having to get an import licence to keep and sell alowable fish on that list only.
  as for the dumping of unwanted  cichlids in creeks and dams ,all you have to do around here is go to some of the local dams and creeks and you will find anything from convicts to oscars to red devils you  name it,its probably there.

[Thanes]

But what if the fish were on the the list at some time,I heard about 10-15 years ago you could bring in just about anything??As for fry bred you could always come to be auctions once or twice a year stay down a week or 2 and visit friends & rellies.
Cheers Brian.

[ndoboi]

The chap I spoke to said that the list effectively hadnt changed since 1976. I guess there has only been additions, not deletions...
I'd love to come and see everyone at the auctions but I baulk at the 3-4day drive each way...
I can see myself getting some LARGE tanks and keeping all my fish and offspring for one move each year. I'll have to wait and see what the behind the scenes trade is like and suss out the shipping process at the airport from both ends. It only matters if AAE care...

It is a lot different to QLD and NSW as both of those states have considered this legislation whereas the NT enforces it. At least in QLD and NSW, unless the fish is on the noxious lists, you'd have to be real unlucky to get into trouble. LFS in QLD and NSW can freely trade in fish that are not listed as noxious. In the NT they can only trade in the allowable fish...

Cheers
Steve

[ndoboi]

I have bumped this one as someone was kind enough to pm at the time with an offer to get me in touch with some people up here in Darwin that have shipped fish. Stupid me has since deleted the pm without noting the details (monentary lapse of reason...) and I was hoping if that person could be kind enough to get in touch again.

Cheers
Steve