Sri Lanka to ban predatory pet fish to protect ecosystems / Photo: ADEK BERRY - AFP/File
-
Lebanon president says country does not want war with Israel
-
France takes anti-drone measures after flight over nuclear sub base
-
Signing up to DR Congo peace is one thing, delivery another
-
'Amazing' figurines find in Egyptian tomb solves mystery
-
Palestinians say Israeli army killed man in occupied West Bank
-
McLaren will make 'practical' call on team orders in Abu Dhabi, says boss Brown
-
Norris completes Abu Dhabi practice 'double top' to boost title bid
-
Chiba leads Liu at skating's Grand Prix Final
-
Meta partners with news outlets to expand AI content
-
Mainoo 'being ruined' at Man Utd: Scholes
-
Guardiola says broadcasters owe him wine after nine-goal thriller
-
Netflix to buy Warner Bros. Discovery in deal of the decade
-
French stars Moefana and Atonio return for Champions Cup
-
Penguins queue in Paris zoo for their bird flu jabs
-
Netflix to buy Warner Bros. Discovery for nearly $83 billion
-
Sri Lanka issues fresh landslide warnings as toll nears 500
-
Root says England still 'well and truly' in second Ashes Test
-
Chelsea's Maresca says rotation unavoidable
-
Italian president urges Olympic truce at Milan-Cortina torch ceremony
-
Norris edges Verstappen in opening practice for season-ending Abu Dhabi GP
-
Australia race clear of England to seize control of second Ashes Test
-
Trump strategy shifts from global role and vows 'resistance' in Europe
-
Turkey orders arrest of 29 footballers in betting scandal
-
EU hits X with 120-mn-euro fine, risking Trump ire
-
Arsenal's Merino has earned striking role: Arteta
-
Putin offers India 'uninterrupted' oil in summit talks with Modi
-
New Trump strategy vows shift from global role to regional
-
World Athletics ditches long jump take-off zone reform
-
French town offers 1,000-euro birth bonuses to save local clinic
-
After wins abroad, Syria leader must gain trust at home
-
Slot spots 'positive' signs at struggling Liverpool
-
Eyes of football world on 2026 World Cup draw with Trump centre stage
-
South Africa rugby coach Erasmus extends contract until 2031
-
Ex-Manchester Utd star Lingard announces South Korea exit
-
Australia edge ominously within 106 runs of England in second Ashes Test
-
McIlroy survives as Min Woo Lee surges into Australian Open hunt
-
German factory orders rise more than expected
-
Flooding kills two as Vietnam hit by dozens of landslides
-
Italy to open Europe's first marine sanctuary for dolphins
-
Hong Kong university suspends student union after calls for fire justice
-
Asian markets rise ahead of US data, expected Fed rate cut
-
Nigerian nightlife finds a new extravagance: cabaret
-
Tanzania tourism suffers after election killings
-
Yo-de-lay-UNESCO? Swiss hope for yodel heritage listing
-
Weatherald fires up as Australia race to 130-1 in second Ashes Test
-
Georgia's street dogs stir affection, fear, national debate
-
Survivors pick up pieces in flood-hit Indonesia as more rain predicted
-
Gibbs runs for three TDs as Lions down Cowboys to boost NFL playoff bid
-
Pandas and ping-pong: Macron ending China visit on lighter note
-
TikTok to comply with 'upsetting' Australian under-16 ban
NYSE - LSE
| RBGPF | 0% | 78.35 | $ | |
| BCE | 1.33% | 23.532 | $ | |
| JRI | 0.18% | 13.775 | $ | |
| SCS | -0.5% | 16.15 | $ | |
| RIO | -0.38% | 73.45 | $ | |
| BCC | -0.28% | 74.05 | $ | |
| AZN | 0.33% | 90.33 | $ | |
| NGG | -0.34% | 75.65 | $ | |
| GSK | -0.89% | 48.14 | $ | |
| RYCEF | 0.34% | 14.7 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.38% | 23.391 | $ | |
| RELX | -0.15% | 40.48 | $ | |
| BTI | -1.83% | 56.995 | $ | |
| VOD | -1.43% | 12.455 | $ | |
| BP | -2.15% | 36.445 | $ | |
| CMSD | -0.15% | 23.285 | $ |
Sri Lanka to ban predatory pet fish to protect ecosystems
Sri Lanka will ban four species of predatory ornamental fish including Piranhas that have escaped into rivers and lakes, devastating native species and threatening fragile freshwater ecosystems, the fisheries minister said Wednesday.
"We want to protect our inland water bodies from invasive species," Ramalingam Chandrasekar said, adding it was aimed at protecting the livelihoods of fishermen on the island nation.
The import, sale and transportation of Redline Snakehead, Knife Fish, Alligator Gar and Piranha, imported from Southeast Asia, will be banned from Saturday, the minister said in a statement.
Snakeheads, which can grow to over three feet (one metre), were rapidly multiplying in a lake in the northwestern part of the island, threatening the native species.
Officials believe they may have been released into the Deduru Oya lake by owners who could no longer care for them.
The fisheries ministry has organised a competition for anglers to catch Snakeheads, coinciding with the ban on Saturday.
Sri Lankans are not used to consuming Snakehead fish which is a voracious predator, eating smaller native fish and amphibians and disrupting the ecological balance.
Pet owners rearing the four species have been asked to notify the authorities and hand them over so the fish can be confined to state-run aquariums.
P.Sousa--PC
