I am addressing a previous thread in which a customer asked about possible restrictions on collection of Crenicichla from Brazil.
While the vast majority of us cannot read the Portuguese text, Latin names are, thankfully, universal (that's why we use them!).
By scrolling down several pages in the below link, you will come to the Anexo 1 page. Here you'll find a list of approved species for export from Brazil.
http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/IBAMA.pdf
It is here you WILL NOT FIND any Hypancistrus, Panaque, only one species of Pseudacanthicus, no Cichla, only one species of piranha, and only three species of Crenicichla listed.
In short, if the fishes' name does not appear on this list, it is not legal to export. Admittedly, the list is lacking hundreds of species that are in no danger of overfishing. It's not for that reason that so many names are omitted from the list. Rather, it's a list in desperate need of update.
Of course exporters have petitioned for this, but at this time, no official changes have occurred.
There are some exceptions to the list. For example, tank bred stock may be permissable to export if proper documentation is provided.
There may be bribery involved too, of course, but I cannot speculate of the actual occurrence, so will not consider that a viable option.
The Brazilian Customs, IBAMA for short, can and do inspect boxes of fish departing from major ports in the north, such as Belem and Manaus.
Many of the IBAMA officials have some training in the identification of certain fish.
Cichla are fairly easy to distinguish to the semi-trained eye.
The larger Crenicichla species, such as marmorata, cobra and red Tapajos, etc. are also fairly distinguishable to even semi-trained officials. As you may see, only two dwarf pike species and Cr. alta are permitted to be exported - according to this list.
While not all Hypancistrus may be immediately distinguishable as such, H. zebra L46 'zebra pleco', are quite remarkable, and therefore more easily spotted.
You see, L46 does not appear in writing as an illegal fish to export.
The omission of this species from the list of permissable fish to export is the reason for it's restricted export status.
Further down the pages of the file you'll also see a table listing those species which are allowed to be imported into Brazil as ornamental fish, as well as another table with species which are prohibited to import into Brazil.
While the vast majority of us cannot read the Portuguese text, Latin names are, thankfully, universal (that's why we use them!).
By scrolling down several pages in the below link, you will come to the Anexo 1 page. Here you'll find a list of approved species for export from Brazil.
http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/IBAMA.pdf
It is here you WILL NOT FIND any Hypancistrus, Panaque, only one species of Pseudacanthicus, no Cichla, only one species of piranha, and only three species of Crenicichla listed.
In short, if the fishes' name does not appear on this list, it is not legal to export. Admittedly, the list is lacking hundreds of species that are in no danger of overfishing. It's not for that reason that so many names are omitted from the list. Rather, it's a list in desperate need of update.
Of course exporters have petitioned for this, but at this time, no official changes have occurred.
There are some exceptions to the list. For example, tank bred stock may be permissable to export if proper documentation is provided.
There may be bribery involved too, of course, but I cannot speculate of the actual occurrence, so will not consider that a viable option.
The Brazilian Customs, IBAMA for short, can and do inspect boxes of fish departing from major ports in the north, such as Belem and Manaus.
Many of the IBAMA officials have some training in the identification of certain fish.
Cichla are fairly easy to distinguish to the semi-trained eye.
The larger Crenicichla species, such as marmorata, cobra and red Tapajos, etc. are also fairly distinguishable to even semi-trained officials. As you may see, only two dwarf pike species and Cr. alta are permitted to be exported - according to this list.
While not all Hypancistrus may be immediately distinguishable as such, H. zebra L46 'zebra pleco', are quite remarkable, and therefore more easily spotted.
You see, L46 does not appear in writing as an illegal fish to export.
The omission of this species from the list of permissable fish to export is the reason for it's restricted export status.
Further down the pages of the file you'll also see a table listing those species which are allowed to be imported into Brazil as ornamental fish, as well as another table with species which are prohibited to import into Brazil.
