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Ornamental fish
trade threatened
There was no conservationist who could proudly say that they were responsible in identifying these species at that time. Since then, it was the people in the industry who periodically found new species, e.g. Sicyopus Jonklaasi, Lepidocephalicthys Jonklaasi (Mr. Rodney Jonklaas), Puntius Martenstyni (Mr. Cedric Martenstyn), Puntius Bandula (Mr. Ranjit Bandula), Danio Pathirana (Mr. Ananda Pathirana) and Puntius Asoka (Mr. Asoka Miwanapalana), to name but a few. We were able to nurture the industry and the environment by inviting reputed world authorities to the country at that time to identify these species that we found in and around our island. Of course, we had the benefit of making a trade out of it too. Since then, our intentions have been clear. We understood that our industry could never continue this way with us extracting our requirements from the wild, be it from the inland waterways or the sea. We knew we had to put back into nature what we took from it. That's why for the past 40 years the industry has developed itself by breeding more and more ornamental fish and more recently, by propagating plants for export. Restricted
species Of the freshwater fish exported, only 0.01 percent represents Sri Lanka's endemic species. Of these, certain species are restricted and others are allowed for export on the issue of permits. The collectors of wild fish only collect fish that are cleared for export through permits. Reputed and responsible exporters never ship anything that is not cleared through permits as they have a business to run and a reputation to protect. Furthermore, our conscience dictates our responsibility not only to our industry but also to our country. Killing off the environment that sustains our industry would be like shooting ourselves in the foot. Therefore, the statement that this industry has exploited its natural resources is flawed. The species that are being traded mostly are still not endangered as some would like to say. Our collectors know how to collect them without destroying their habitat. It is only if the habitat is destroyed that these species would be endangered. If this is so it is up to the conservationists and the people involved in the industry to safeguard the habitat together rather than being at loggerheads with each other. There are many industries that directly or indirectly destroy the environment through pollution. The general public too pollutes waterways. Canal systems are blocked with household garbage and waste products, making the environment unsustainable for all animals that live in these systems. A good example is the Wellawatta canal, which runs through Pamankada. Consider what has happened to the Negombo lagoon. Where are the fish and prawns that were found in abundance 25 years ago? Is it not industrial pollution that has resulted in this destruction? Why is coral mining still going on in spite of all the laws against it? Have our nature sanctuaries been controlled in the best possible manner? The Hikkaduwa coral gardens was a sanctuary for the past decade or more. We all know how well it is protected. If sanctuaries are protected, surely we could save most of the species. We wish conservationists would see that we endeavor to maintain a healthy balance in our interaction with the environment. Our interactions are negligible, especially when compared to the massive collective destruction brought on by other industries and the lack of pollution control by the authorities. Other countries are now breeding these fish and propagating these same plants for export. Furthermore, many countries have opened their doors to the export of marine species and they have the same species that we have around our waters in abundance. Hence, demand has fallen. We also have seen that with the migrating habits of species owing to environmental conditions there is the possibility of some of these fish not being found at the same place every year. When a fisherman gets caught using dynamite to catch fish, it is that fisherman who gets penalised, not the entire fishing industry. However, the recent case involving one exporter resulted in the entire industry being penalised. We were informed at a recent forum that university graduates and scientists along with conservationists surveyed the areas that these species were found in and determined the availability of such species. We found it disheartening that we were not asked to participate in the surveys. After all, our collectors could show the authorities where certain species are found in abundance, especially with regard to the ones that are being traded now. It was agreed at this forum last December that they would get the assistance of the collectors in future. However, nothing has happened since then. Furthermore, it was also concluded that only 12 - 14 species of aquatic plants, out of 125 varieties that are being exported, were threatened. Based on this conclusion we find it surprising that conservationists now claim that so many are threatened. The role
of the conservationist Could they not partly fund some of the projects to breed endangered species? A level-headed approach is required to tackle the issue. Some conservationists go to extremes when talking of conserving nature. This is not practical in the modern world. We also have seen that some of the people in the industry do not understand how we could preserve nature and work towards a sustainable development of the environment and the industry. In 1993 the Fauna and Flora Act was amended without consulting the stakeholders of the industry. Since then we have made representations to the relevant ministries to amend it so that the Customs too could implement it correctly. Almost nine years have passed since then and we have seen other regulations being framed, especially the more recent act of the Forest Department which earlier carried a blanket restriction on all types of plants. After our representations, we managed to overcome this to a certain extent in August last year. However, once again, with one incident that occurred recently, the industry has suffered due to bad publicity. Very recently we saw some plant quarantine officials getting involved in identifying and not allowing the export of plants while these plants were allowed by the Department of Forests soon after the recent incident. All these developments have had a very bad impact on our existing markets. Exporters have just returned from Europe after securing additional orders for fish cultured in our own farms and plants propagated in our nurseries. Some of these exporters have already lost a considerable number of orders due to these issues. The industry would like to ask the government to first look into the present regulations that are in force and amend them accordingly so that we could survive and develop. The Customs Department also could implement and monitor these regulations more efficiently. Presently, although conservationists keep asking the industry to breed endangered fish for export, there is no provision in the regulations to export some of these endangered fish even if they are bred in captivity. As an example, when one of the pioneers in this industry started a project in breeding endangered species, it was highlighted in magazines worldwide. Unfortunately, tank-bred fish exports were not allowed due to flaws in the regulations. The project was abandoned. There is no provision in existing laws for us to export even tank-bred endangered species. Bad organisation The cut-flower
fish trade issue I was involved in inviting the present opposition leader Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, when he was the Minister of Fisheries, to the well-known Interzoo Pet Show that is held every two years in Germany. Most of our exporters participated in that show. I was able to show him how a restaurant was maintaining and displaying a marine aquarium for the past 10 years with living coral and the so-called cut-flower fish. Mind you, these fish would never have grown or survived for such a long period of time if they were in the sea. With our industry we have shown the public that we are able to produce even artificial food to substitute the food that these species get from their natural habitat. What's amazing is that it is our industry that is able to breed some of these marine species in captivity and not the conservationist. The government should immediately amend the present regulations. Our industry has progressed to achieve sustainable development. Please do not kill this trade. It is those employed in the trade who will be affected by such regulations. Recently we learnt that some people transporting ornamental fish from distant places were being detained for hours by the law enforcement officers. Needless to say, these officers are not capable of differentiating between ordinary fish whose trade is allowed and the banned species. How could any minister propose to develop this industry in the rural areas if these fundamentals are not looked into? The industry is yet to see a response on this basic issue from the authorities. Is it not possible for the authorities to settle the issue without having meeting after meeting, which have not brought about any result so far? |
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