[dinh]

Yup, I got the same response from Mr. Tilzey today as well.

--Dinh

Quote: Originally Posted by jnorth I recieved a response today from Mr. Tilzey. He forwarded me and several other people his response to an email from Nigel Caddock. Thankyou for your email - I would greatly appreciate your disseminating the fact that the Australian government is NOT considering a total ban on the keeping of koi via your internet network, particularly as I'm being inundated by foreign emails protesting against such a ban. I assume this rumour emerged from an Australian koi group. I'm the Executive Officer of a National Ornamental Fish Working Group, the major function of which is to develop national management strategies for this industry. The ornemental fish trade in this country is subject to a miasma of State-based regulations, many of which conflict across jurisdictional boundaries. The current fragmented "management" system is ineffective and confusing and in urgent need of an overhaul. A consultation draft entitled 'A Strategic Approach to the Management of Ornamental Fish in Australia' is currently out for public review and almost certainly prompted the above rumour (see below). Electronic copies can be downloaded from http://www.brs.gov.au/ornamental. Cyprinus carpio, commonly known here as 'European Carp', is currently on a 'Proposed Noxious Species' list in the draft. As you are no doubt aware, feral carp are a serious environmental problem in Australia, prompting their listing. Although koi are technically the same species, it is obvious that domesticated strains (i.e. the koi industry) merit specific management. Whereas I certainly don't wish to pre-empt any decision that the Working Group may reach on the subject of Koi carp, it is very evident that the koi industry will have to somehow be managed separately from the noxious "European" carp, with appropriate management strategies being developed. One important such strategy will be aimed at preventing inadvertant/deliberate release into the wild. I hope this brief missive dispels confusion over this issue. Yours sincerely Richard Tilzey