ACCRA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Government of Ghana announced a ban here on Wednesday on ornamental fish import to prevent the possibility of a new aquaculture virus from entering the country.
The Ministry for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) announced that the government had placed a ban on the importation of dead or live ornamental fishes and tilapia species in response to the emerging Tilapia Lake Virus and its associated fatalities.
It said the attention of MoFAD had been drawn to the emerging disease with cases reported in Africa, Asia and South America, adding that the virus represented a huge risk to the global tilapia industry.
"In line with this, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development is placing a ban on the import of all ornamental fishes and tilapia species, including gamete-eggs and milt, into the country with effect from July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018," the statement announced.
The ban, according to MoFAD, is one of the measures being taken to prevent or control the virus since there is no known treatment for it.
MoFAD said it would follow up with an awareness creation campaign and capacity building at different levels for farmers, extension officers, consumers and the general public to help in promoting farm-level biodiversity.
The statement urged consumers and stakeholders to report any related development to MoFAD for immediate action. Enditem
