Detailed guide to fish import regulations for aquaculture purposes into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This guide to fish import Regulations for aquaculture purposes into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia includes the following key aspects (i) only specific fish species are permitted for import into the Kingdom for aquaculture (detailed in the Guide). Farmers wishing to import other species must prove they are native to local waters, have been successfully farmed, and are economically viable, with all risks evaluated by the Ministry of Agriculture. Import sources must be verified for quality and compliance, and disease monitoring lists apply only to these approved species and are regularly updated; (ii) importing live fish into Saudi Arabia is subject to regularly updated regulations and technical inspections by the Ministry of Agriculture. These include pre-approval visits to source companies, mandatory disease testing by certified international labs, and a one-month quarantine in specialized local facilities. Only disease-free shipments are allowed entry; otherwise, they are destroyed per official protocols; (iii) the fish disease lists include pathogens that must be tested for in imported aquatic species intended for aquaculture in Saudi Arabia. These lists are based on both the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) and the Ministry of Agriculture's criteria, which are regularly updated; (iv) the approved suppliers of live fish for aquaculture in Saudi Arabia are listed by species and country of origin. These include companies from different parts of the world, each supplying specific species. The lists are organized to ensure traceability and compliance with health standards; (v) the reference diagnostic laboratories for fish disease testing include internationally accredited OIE labs, as well as national labs under Saudi Arabia’s fisheries research centers.