MAF Biosecurity New Zealand acts on GM aquarium fish in New Zealand

See also Frequently Asked Questions

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) yesterday entered four Christchurch premises in response to information that people at those addresses were breeding and/or selling genetically modified aquarium fish.

The fish, genetically modified Zebra danio (Danio rerio), were brought to MAFBNZ's attention by concerned members of the public who had seen them for sale online.

MAFBNZ Incursion Manager David Yard says the operation involved seizing and humanely euthanasing approximately 300 tropical aquarium fish that genetic testing confirmed had been genetically modified with a red fluorescent protein to make them a bright red/pink colour.

Mr Yard says the fish, including any that may have been on-sold, pose an extremely low risk in biosecurity terms as they are unlikely to enter the food chain or have any environmental impacts. "They are tropical so are unlikely to be able to survive outside a temperature-controlled tank.

"The presence of these fish in New Zealand has not, however, been authorised and they are illegal new organisms in breach of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act," he says.

"Our work now is focused on tracing any fish that have been sold. To this end, we'd like to encourage tropical fish enthusiasts who have bright red/pink coloured danios in their possession, or knows someone who has these fish, to contact MAFBNZ on the freephone 0800 80 99 66. Arrangements will be made for the fish to be collected and put down."

While the fish pose no environmental risk, Mr Yard says it is important they are dealt with by MAFBNZ and humanely destroyed. "At the very least, fish should be disposed of into land-based bins and not in a manner where they could get into waterways."

It's thought the fish are either part of, or bred from, a consignment of red danio fish that were imported from Singapore earlier this year and cleared by the then MAF Quarantine Service.

"The fish in question were cleared for entry at the time, due to an incorrect declaration by the importer who believed they were dyed red, rather than genetically modified. The importer's belief they had been dyed was supported when the fish were examined under UV light and did not fluoresce or glow as is typical with this type of genetic modification."

David Yard says it's important that people keeping tropical fish are aware that the importation, possession or sale of genetically modified organisms is illegal in New Zealand.

To report the presence of these fish, call 0800 80 99 66.

For further information, contact:

Lesley Patston,
Senior Communications Adviser,
04 894 0163 or 029 894 0163
email: lesley.patston@maf.govt.nz