seems in 2006 they where moved to the grey list but live import is still not allowable
extract from a letter that was posed by a breeder :
Dear Mr. Chaw
Thankyou for your email of 21 May 2008 seeking information regarding the legalisation of Scleropages formosus (Asian Arowana) in Australia.
The Asian Arowana is not listed on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) list of specimens approved for live import; therefore it is currently illegal to import this species into Australia.
An application was received by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) in August 2006 to amend the list of specimens suitable for live import to include Asian Arowana. This application was rejected for inclusion on Part 2 of the list by the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources on 26 September 2007.
The primary reasons for rejecting inclusion of the species on the live import list were:
There is potential for the species to establish feral populations in northern Australia. Their potential for establishment could have undesirable impacts on the Australian environment. For example two native species in the same genus occur in northern Australia and have the same habitat requirements as the Asian Arowana. Competition would therefore be probable if a population was to establish in Australia, to the possible detriment of both native species.
Asian Arowana is listed on the “grey list” under the Strategic Approach to the Management of Ornamental Fish in Australia, which was endorsed by Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers at the Natural Resources Management Ministerial Council on 24th November 2006. Species on the “grey list” are being reviewed under this strategy to decide whether they should be considered a noxious species. It is likely that states and territories would not accept the general keeping of this species if they were considered noxious and in this context, a decision to list such species on the live import list would be highly unlikely. Information on the strategy can be found at:
http://www.affashop.gov.au/PdfFiles/ornamental_fish_report.pdf
Please note: Applications to amend the live import list to include Asian Arowana are not likely to be considered until the grey list review has been completed and would only be considered if the species is not a noxious species.
http://www.affashop.gov.au/PdfFiles/ornamental_fish_report.pdf' \o 'blocked::
http://www.affashop.gov.au/PdfFiles/ornamental_fish_report.pdf
The Asian Arowana is a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna) species and if listed would be an inclusion on Part 2 of the live import list. Restrictions may be imposed on Part 2 listings.
At this stage Asian Arowana cannot be legally imported into Australia due to the potential risks it poses to native Australian species, and the uncertainty of its status as a noxious species. As stated, an application to DEWHA to amend the list of specimens suitable for import has been rejected.
Further information about listing species on the live import list can be obtained from the Departments’ website:
Wildlife trade and conservation regulation in Australia - Listed Specimens
Amending the list of specimens suitable for live import (the live import list) - Wildlife trade and conservation
Yours Sincerely
Kerrie Hankinson
Exotic Species Regulation
Wildlife Branch, AWD
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
ph: 02 6274 1242
fax: 02 6274 1921