Shiga Prefecture Sets Penalties for Releasing Exotic Species into Environment

The Shiga Prefectural Government in Japan implemented on May 1, 2007, an ordinance relating to coexistence with wild animals and plants in the local area. The ordinance designates 15 non-native species, such as brown trout, and stipulates their owners' obligation of registration. It clearly forbids the owners to release the species into the environment. This is the first ordinance of its kind in Japan that includes punishments for violations.

The designated species include the masked palm civet, which can cause crop damage, and the piranha, which has been caught in the prefecture at Lake Biwa. Owners must register information about the type, number and location of the species within 30 days after they start keeping the species. Violators will be fined up to 300,000 yen (US$ 2,400).

The ordinance also requires that distributors of the designated species inform their purchasers how to keep them properly, particularly with regard to the possible environmental damage caused by these non-native species if released.

http://www.pref.shiga.jp/english/index.html

Posted: 2007/08/11 04:11:51 PM
Japanese version