The State Fisheries Service prevented the introduction of dangerous invasive fish species

By: STA Date: 2024. 05. 08. 09:00

The State Fisheries Service of the National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih ÁHSZ) has prohibited the establishment of invasive silverfish in two cases this year so far this year, and the authority has initiated proceedings in six cases for violations related to the establishment and trade of invasive fish species. The planting of non-native fish species without a permit, as well as the violation of regulations related to them, can result in the imposition of large fines.

(Photo: Nébih ÁHSZ)

One of the main tasks of the State Fisheries Service of Nébih is to check the regularity of fish stocking and the traceability of fish intended for stock replenishment. For lake farms, the spring period means the beginning of the population of the lakes, since the fish farmers then plant part of the fish they have produced from the wintering lakes into the fish farming water areas. At the same time, the fish stocking taking place throughout the country requires increased control by the state fish guards.

The Nébih ÁHSZ pays special attention to both quantity and quality control of installations

In connection with this year’s spring fish stocking, the authority last conducted an inspection in mid-April on the section of the Tisza river close to Fegyvernekh, where the fish management authority planned to release 3,711 kg of one-year-old carp according to its preliminary notification. 3 fish transport cars arrived at the scene, with a total of 8 tanks of fish, from which the state fish guards measured the weight of 2 tanks of fish. During the assessment, it was revealed that the stock intended for planting was significantly contaminated with individuals of non-native and invasive fish species. The contents of the two weighed tanks were a total of 562 kg, of which 98.95 kg of non-native fish species, mostly invasive silver carp, as well as amur, razbóra and dwarf catfish individuals were also found. After the selection of non-native and invasive fish, 2 tanks of fish stock were installed. After that, during the quality control of the remaining tanks, the state fish wardens determined that they also contained a significant amount of invasive fish, and therefore further stocking was prohibited for nature conservation reasons.

Nébih would like to draw the attention of those entitled to fish farming that planting non-native fish species without a permit (from the fish farming authority) is considered a violation of the law, which entails the imposition of a fish farming fine of HUF 500,000 to HUF 5,000,000. In addition, the violation of the prohibitions and obligations related to alien invasive species also entails the imposition of an invasion fine, the amount of which can range from HUF 100,000 to HUF 20,000,000 depending on the damage caused by the violation!

Nébih