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Government of Western Australia - Department of Fisheries

Noxious (banned) fish

​To protect our waters from the spread of aquatic pests, some fish species are banned from being imported into WA. These species are listed as ‘noxious’ under schedule 5 of the Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995.

Under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 you must not do the following with any noxious fish:

  • keep, breed, hatch or culture them;
  • have them in your possession;
  • consign or convey them;
  • release them into any waters; or
  • put them into a container or receptacle in which they might remain alive.
 
Penalties of $10,000 and above apply for possessing or releasing noxious fish.  

Current noxious fish list

 

See the noxious fish list for current listed fish. These species should no longer be in circulation. If you are in possession of a noxious fish it is essential that you do not release them, or any ornamental fish, into our waterways.

Just because a species is not listed on the noxious list, does not mean that species is permitted to be in Western Australia. If you are looking to import or keep ornamental fish, please check to see if it is on Part 1 of the live import list. If not, please contact translocation@dpird.wa.gov.au for more information on that particular species. ​

Last modified: 27/07/2023 10:37 AM

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The information and advice provided by the Department of Fisheries website is made in good faith and is from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of release onto the website. Changes in circumstances after a document is placed on the website may affect the accuracy of the information. Full disclaimer details are available at www.fish.wa.gov.au.