India is one of the top ten fish producers of the world and has immense resource potential to acquire top position. With the globalization and open international markets the international trade has increased many folds. Like all other industries the fish industry has also used this opportunity, as a result both ‘live aquatic animal’ and ‘aquatic animal product’ trade have increased substantially in last few years. Such large-scale international transfer of live fish and fish products has an associated risk of trans-boundary movement of fish pathogens among countries, unless adequate quarantine strategies are adopted. It is realized that for framing and implementing aquatic animals quarantine strategies, lack of related information is a commonly encountered problem. A comprehensive information system on ‘pathogens, diseases and quarantine related issues’ is essential to understand the national disease status and build an effective national strategy for aquatic exotics and quarantine. As per SPS agreement, scientific evidence is required for restricting introduction of alien species based on ecological or disease risk. This Information System on ‘exotic species and quarantine’ can provide such evidence. It will be the scientific base for import risk assessment and act as a decision support system for introductions and national quarantine policies, guidelines and strategies. Since it is one of the deciding factors for exotic import, India should focus due attention to building of such databases.
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