Prohibition of Keeping or Release of Live Fish (Specified Species) Order 1998 (S.I. No. 2409 of 1998).

This Order, which is made under section 1 of the Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act 1980, prohibits the keeping or release in England and Wales of any species of fish specified in the Schedule to the Order, except under authority of a licence granted by the Minister. Section 3 of the Act provides that any person who keeps or releases any of the species of fish listed in the Schedule to this Order without a valid licence or who contravenes the terms of a licence shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine. The reason behind the prohibition is that the species of live fish to which this Order applies might compete with, displace, prey on or harm the habitat of any freshwater fish, shellfish or salmon in England and Wales. (Schedule: species of fish whose keeping or release in any part of England and Wales is prohibited except under authority of a licence granted by the Minister)