Toronto pet store fined $35,000 for importing endangered fish from Malaysia

TORONTO -- A Toronto pet store has been fined $35,000 after pleading guilty to unlawfully importing regulated live fish from Malaysia.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says the Magical Aquarium Club did not have an import permit when it brought in 26 live Asian arowanas on Dec. 7, 2018.

The department says the species is among the most trade-restricted listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

#ON aquatic pet store fined $35K after importing into Canada protected #fish species without a permit. #Enforcement #EndWildlifeCrime https://t.co/4AP2ZwIHWh

— GC Newsroom (@NewsroomGC) September 25, 2019

Asian arowanas inhabit rivers in forested swamps and wetlands in southeast Asia, and are also farmed in some countries.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says the fish are sought after for use as pets, and are considered by some cultures to bring good fortune.

The ministry says the court has ordered the pet store to forfeit the fish to the Crown.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2019.