Re: [APD] Snail killers and Governments

[Dave Wilson <aqua_green at bigpond.com>]

Hello Tom,
I put 15 clown loaches into one pond.   They lasted a year before they were
all gone.   I still had plenty of snails while they were there so I came to
the conclusion there must have been plenty of other things natural for them
to eat.    

I have applied to the Government to have fish imported in the past.   It
takes years and when you do succeed with one department another steps in and
uses different legislation to stop new fish.   They are hell bent on
promoting the underground illegal smuggling trade where there is no regard
for disease introduction and animal security.

I will ask my local Fisheries if they would support a new critter just for
my ponds.   If they say yes then I will go to the dept of Environmet &
Heritage, if they say yes then I have top go to Biosecurity Australia.   The
chances of getting past the first lot is like winning the lottery three time
in a row.

I will ask.   

Thanks for the suggestions.

Cheers
Dave



On 23/8/06 2:30 AM, "Thomas Barr" <tcbiii at yahoo_com> wrote:

> Dave there should be an exception permit that would allow you to
> bring them in to remove the snails from the plants.
> 
> Which is worse? Fish that are easily removed in live plant
> orders or a variety of tiny snails?
> 
> Generally if you can come up with a method to prevent and
> minimize the risk of them getting into the native waters, eg
> screens to prevents birds, sumps and screens etc to prevent them
> from going over the overflows etc, then they generally will
> allow exceptions to such rules.
> 
> It's a permit process, but maybe worth while for you in the long
> run, the rest of the methods are a lot of work.
> 
> Clown loaches are not native, but they are good sellers, that'
> s likely why they are legal.
> 
> You might try them also, but they will get big, but then they
> can be sold, shipped etc to folks and you can make some $$ off
> them.
> 
> Still, the B striata is a much betetr option, inquire with the
> local fish and game folks there for an exception permit for
> argiculture.
> 
> Most agricultural dept allow for use of normally illegal
> critters for pest removal as long as they are well managed and
> strong efforts are made to prevent introductions.
> 
> There is an economic interest here and the gastropod issue may
> very well out weigh the fish issue, certainly easier to kill and
> control than snails.
> 
> Snails can carry human diseases eg Schisto, but the Botia don't.
> 
> 
> So from a human health perspective, you might be able to get an
> exception. Ask.
> 
> Regards, 
> Tom Barr
> 
> 
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