Aquarium Dumping

The introduction and establishment of pest fish and plants in natural waterways can cause decline in the abundance of native fish and otherwise adversely affect aquatic habitats within natural waterways and lake systems. Exotic fish can be introduced into a waterway through accidental or intentional release. Common problems include: dumping of aquarium collections into the waterway (e.g. goldfish, guppies, platys) the introduction of species as sport fish (e.g. carp, tilapia) the use of pest fish as live bait the use of exotic fish species in ornamental ponds which overflow into other waterways the introduction of parasites and diseases. Problems caused by exotic pest fish and plant species can be prevented by: never disposing of aquarium collections within a natural waterway or lake system not releasing exotic speciesback into the waterway if caught while fishing ensuring aquarium collections are kept in secure ponds using native fish rather than exotic species trading unwanted fish and plants with aquariums/pet shops or auctioning fish reporting sightings of pest fish to the Customer Service Centre for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry: Phone: 13 25 23 (cost of a local call within Queensland) or +61 7 3404 6999 8am to 6pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 6pm Thursday Email: callweb@daff.qld.gov.au Fax: +61 7 3404 6900 Find a link for more information on the use of native fish for mosquito control below. Under the Queensland Fisheries Act, there are two types of pest fish: noxious fish which cannot be kept non-indigenous fish which can be kept but must be prevented from escaping. It is illegal in Queensland to release noxious or non-indigenous fish into our natural waterways. For further information, you can contact Biosecurity Queensland orthe Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Findlinks to the Queensland Government'sDepartment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestrywebsite below for more information on Biosecurity and Pest Fish.

Related Information
External Links Queensland Government - Native fish for mosquito control

Queensland Government - Non-indigenous fish

Gold Coast Aquarium Society

Queensland Government - Biosecurity

Queensland Government - Pest fish

Gold Coast City Council - www.g oldcoastcity.com.au