Update of the import protocol for live freshwater ornamental fish, live marine ornamental fish and ornamental crustacea (revision to G/SPS/N/MYS/26)

The Department of Fisheries Malaysia, according to the Section 40 on Control of Live Fish, Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317) has reviewed the notification of G/SPS/N/MYS/26 (7 January 2011). This amendment accounts for the reclassification and consolidation of species within their respective commodity groups. Furthermore, it incorporates requirements for disease analysis, biosecurity risks, and the specific purpose of exportation to Malaysia. The purpose of this notification is to inform all countries on the updated protocol for the importation of:Live Freshwater Ornamental Fish;Live Marine Ornamental Fish; and Live Ornamental Crustacea.Freshwater and marine ornamental fish exhibit distinct profiles of disease susceptibility due to fundamental differences in their aquatic environments. These differences, particularly in water chemistry and ecology, directly influence pathogen viability, transmission, and host-pathogen interactions.The main content of the protocols are as follows:Import Conditions Prior to Arrival in Malaysia;Animal Health Certification Requirements for the Import of Live Ornamental Fish into Malaysia;Import Conditions on Arrival in Malaysian Territory.This import protocol mandates that all importers adhere to the stipulated conditions prior to consignment arrival, meet all health certification standards, and comply with all procedures upon arrival in Malaysia, as outlined in Annex I.According to Fisheries Act 1985, “Fish” means any aquatic animal or plant life, sedentary or not, and includes all species of finfish, crustacea, mollusca, aquatic mammals, or their eggs or spawn, fry, fingerling, spat or young, but does not include any species of otters, turtles or their eggs.