| Short Title: | Import of Live Fish(England and Wales) Act 1980 |
| Type: | Act |
| Parliament: | Parliament of the United Kingdom |
| Long Title: | An Act to restrict the import, keeping or release of live fish or shellfish or the live eggs or milt of fish or shellfish of certain species. |
| Statute Book Chapter: | 1980 c. 27 |
| Commencement: | 15 May 1980 |
| Status: | Current |
| Original Text: | http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/27/pdfs/ukpga_19800027_en.pdf?view=extent&timeline= |
The Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act 1980 (c. 27) is an act of Parliament which controls the release of non-indigenous species of fish, affording protection to native species of fish within the boundaries of England or Wales.
It is an offence (unless under a granted licence), to import, keep or release, of any live fish or shellfish (or their eggs), of a species (not native to England and Wales) and which may threaten the ecosystem or habitat of any indigenous freshwater or migrating fish, or shellfish in England and Wales.
Not holding a licence or failing to comply with the licence requirements will result in a possible conviction and the destruction of the non-indigenous animals.[1]