Proposed Fish Ban Not Based in Science
Alexandria, Va. – Today, the Pet Advocacy Network (PAN) announced it had submitted testimony to the Arizona Game and Fish Department pushing back against proposed changes to the Arizona Administrative Code that would prohibit popular species of pet fish from being owned in the state.
“Invasive species policy must be science-based, and the state has not met that burden here,” said Sandy Moore, CEO of Pet Advocacy Network. “The state should flush these unjustified restrictions down the toilet.”
The proposed changes would ban ownership of three families of pet fish—family Pimelodidae, family Osteoglossidae, and family Siluridae—to Arizona’s Restricted Live Wildlife code on the grounds that these fish hypothetically could establish an invasive population if they were released into the wild. PAN’s testimony disputes this assertion, noting that state officials do not cite any credible scientific evidence that these fish could actually establish a wild population in Arizona. For example, Glass catfishes, part of Family Siluridae, are tropical and pose no threat of becoming established in Arizona.
The proposed fish restrictions would have a harmful impact on pet businesses, with PAN noting that these fish species “have a direct economic impact of tens of thousands of dollars per year in sales of live fish, and an indirect economic impact in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per year of associated products such as fish tanks, filters, heaters, fish food, substrate, decorations, etc.” Additionally, these economic losses would likely affect employment and tax revenue.
The full testimony is available here. PAN’s testimony was prepared with assistance from Art Parola, Esq., an aquatics expert who is the Director of Policy and Strategy for USARK and a member of the Advisory Board of the National Animal Interest Alliance. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will hold a public hearing on Sept. 5, 2025, on the proposed changes.
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact press@petadvocacy.org.
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About the Pet Advocacy Network
The Pet Advocacy Network champions pet choice and responsible pet professionals, connecting them with policymakers at the local, state, federal and international levels.. Since 1971, the organization has worked to promote animal well-being and responsible pet ownership, foster environmental stewardship, and ensure access to healthy pets. Pet Advocacy Network members include companion animal suppliers, retailers, manufacturers, distributors, service providers, pet hobbyists, and other trade organizations. To learn more, visit www.PetAdvocacy.org.
I do not support the ban on these pet fish. Do not pass the ban. Thank you.
The pet trade is responsible for the devastation of wildlife in Florida and other southern states. There is almost no significant body of freshwater in Florida that doesn’t contain non-native species. Pacific Lionfish have wiped out fish populations on coral reefs throughout the Caribbean.
Several invasive species are already wreaking havoc on Arizona lakes and streams. The reality is that parts of Arizona are absolutely at risk of invasive species and banning species that pose the greatest threat may be prudent.
Freshwater species around the globe have already collapsed by more than 80%. Protecting native species must ALWAYS be a greater priority than pet trade profits or personal freedom to keep whatever species we want. Aquarists don’t have to keep every type of fish.
I agree that legislative and rule-making decisions are best made on the basis of real-world data and analysis. I also think that those of us in the fish hobby and associated businesses would serve our own interests best by leading the effort to handle animals responsibly and to protect the integrity of wild ecosystems. As a fish seller, I have these conversations with hobbyist customers every day. When I share relevant information about these issues with you all, some of you are very appreciative and grateful for the information. Others are adamant that they should be allowed to keep anything outdoors that they wish. And I am treated as though I am a scold and a fool for not giving in to their desires. Again, we need to be LEADING on these issues. The alternative is new regulation as proposed by Arizona and enacted by many other states and the Feds.
the organisation Pet Advocacy is clearly an industry lobbying group who are interested in profit over anything else, despite presenting themselves as being “Grassroots”.
I hope AZ lawmakers do what is best for the native flora and fauna of the state
Why not ban something that is harmful like AR-15s? These broad bands of fish groups without any research are ridiculous. Certain temperate species probably should be banned for sale but not tropical families that can’t take cold water.