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 States of America and the European Union (EU). Although the Far East is the 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 destination for imports into EU Member States. Some market trends in both the EU as a whole and the United Kingdom (as a representative EU Member State) are discussed. The methods of transport and the chain of supply of ornamental fish to the hobbyist in the EU are also examined.