CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CURRENT INTERNATIONAL-TRADE IN ORNAMENTAL FISH, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE EUROPEAN-UNION

The major markets for ornamental fish are the Far East, the United Sta tes of America and the European Union (EU). Although the Far East is t he principal source of both supply and demand for ornamental species, there is considerable movement of fish between these three areas. The author makes a detailed appraisal of the sources of supply and the des tination for imports into EU Member States. Some market trends in both the EU as a whole and the United Kingdom (as a representative EU Memb er State) are discussed The methods of transport and the chain of supp ly of ornamental fish to the hobbyist in the EU are also examined.