maybe something in this Risk Management Proposal is of concern to otthers
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/bi ... 1-2010.pdf
Risk Management Proposal for the importation of ornamental fish and
marine invertebrates
The purpose of this document is to provide a summary of the decision processes that led to the
Draft Import Health Standard for Ornamental Fish and Marine Invertebrates from All
Countries.
Background
Live ornamental aquatic animal imports represent a known pathway for the introduction of
both exotic pathogens and invasive pest species. To afford some level of control over this
pathway an import health standard (IHS) was introduced for the importation into New
Zealand of ornamental fish and marine invertebrates from all countries. The IHS included a
list of, mainly, genera of fish and marine invertebrates permitted to be imported.
In November 2005 MAF released a risk analysis on the eligible genera list from the import
health standard for the importation of ornamental freshwater and marine animals. The risk
analysis presented a number of measures to manage the risks posed by the 13 hazards
identified.
Meanwhile, the list of eligible fish species was reviewed under the Hazardous Substances and
New Organisms (HSNO) Act, to include only those species present in New Zealand before 1
July 1998. The amended eligible list was finalised in March 2007. Consultation on MAF’s
2005 risk analysis revealed that a number of genera of animals had not been included on the
agreed list, and as a result, it became necessary to conduct a supplementary risk analysis on a
further 158 genera of aquatic animals. Following these risk assessments on the additional
genera of fish, a further six organisms were classified as actual hazards in the commodities as
well as the 13 already described in the 2005 risk analysis.
Risk assessment considerations
The majority of the fish species (approximately 1300 species) were classified as ‘low risk’ –
they are not susceptible to the 19 identified hazards. The low-risk fish species not already
present were added to the existing import health standard as an amendment in December
2009. These fish are subject to a post-arrival quarantine period, and biosecurity clearance is
issued to all surviving fish free of clinical signs of pests and disease at the end of the
quarantine period.
The remaining fish species were classified as ‘high-risk’ species – they are susceptible to one
or more of the 19 identified hazards. Some of these high-risk species are on the existing IHS,
and this revision proposes to add another nine species. More stringent risk management
conditions are justified before these species are given biosecurity clearance.
Risk management options have been developed for the 19 identified risk organisms. The
proposed IHS will identify the high-risk fish species and the risk hazards to which they are
susceptible, which will allow any required disease investigation to be conducted in a targeted
manner.
It is recognised that the importation of live aquatic animals may also carry biosecurity risks
from pathogens that are as yet unknown. A quarantine period, as well as being an important
risk mitigating measure for the identified hazards, offers some protection against any potential
unidentified risks, as during the time of high stress following transportation it is likely that
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Risk Management Proposal: Ornamental Fish and Marine Invertebrates 2
subclinical disease harboured by the fish will become clinically apparent. It is logical to base
the length of quarantine on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the 19 identified risk
organisms. On this basis, a quarantine period of four weeks will be required for freshwater
fish, and three weeks will be required for marine fish and marine invertebrates.
Summary of risk mitigation measures
1. Ornamental fish and marine invertebrates from the permitted list must remain in
quarantine for not less than four weeks in the case of freshwater fish, and not less than
three weeks in the case of marine fish and marine invertebrates.
2. Permitted ‘high-risk’ fish and marine invertebrate species (susceptible to one or more
of the identified 19 risk organisms) must undergo risk management measures in
addition to the above quarantine periods. The risk management options for the 19
hazards are given in the IHS.
3. The supervisor may investigate batches of high-risk or low-risk fish for pathogens of
biosecurity significance to New Zealand if deemed appropriate from clinical signs of
illness or death of fish.
4. If an exotic disease or pathogenic disease agent is found, the Chief Technical Officer
may direct any or all of the fish to be detained in quarantine for further testing, or
order their destruction.