The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) has banned the import of all ornamental fishes and tilapia species including gametes-eggs and milt into the country effective July 1 to December 31, 2018.

The decision, according to a statement signed by Prof. Francis K.E Nunoo, Acting Chief Director of the ministry, was necessitated by news of a newly emerging virus that is associated with significant mortalities in farmed tilapia.

“The ban is one of the immediate actions being taken by the Ministry to help prevent and control the virus since its treatment is unknown,” the statement said.

“The Ministry will follow up with capacity building and awareness creation programmes at different levels to farmers, hatchery operators, extension officers, and consumers and the general public to support implementation of simple far level biosecurity programmes,” it added.

It further urged customers and stakeholders to “report issues arising or related to this to the ministry”.