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Ornamental fish trade
General observations
Ornamental fish trade comprises an important sector of the fishery in Lake Tanganyika. Currently, there are some ten exporters of ornamental fishes in the riparian countries. As many of these fishes are slow reproducers and have highly restricted distributions (e.g. most of the Tropheus species), there is a clear need for an assessment on the sustainability of fisheries related to this trade.
In Tanzania, licenses are required to carry out aquarium fishing operations (Fisheries Principal Regulations 1989).
In Zambia, a special fishing license is required to collect aquarium fish in prescribed areas (Fisheries Act 1974).
In Burundi, while the basic fisheries law does not address the issue of aquarium fish, the draft Fisheries Regulations subject the farming, exploitation and exportation of aquarium fish to a regime of authorization. Of the four lacustrine States, DRC appears to be the only one to have issued specific regulations dealing with the commercial exploitation and export of aquarium fish. The instrument is a 1987 ministerial regulation providing that the exploitation of aquarium fish, defined as species of fish which do not form part of the human diet, may be undertaken only by persons having first obtained an authorization from the State Commissioner responsible for environmental affairs. Such authorizations are renewable annually and shall not authorize the exploitation of more than 75,000 specimens. Another authorization is required for the exportation of aquarium fish. The fee payable for an authorization to export aquarium fish varies in relation to the number of fish to be exported. Lastly, the State Commissioner responsible for environmental affairs is empowered to suspend or prohibits both the exploitation and export of aquarium fish.

Ornamental fish trade companies around Lake Tanganyika
Fishes of Burundi
Address: B.P. 2313 Bujumbura
Tel. 22.35.74 or 22.64.19
Type of business: Culture and sale of ornamental fish
Name of manager: Mrs. Mireille Schreyer-Brichard
Major markets: Belgium, Germany and USA

African Diving LTD
Address: P.O.Box 7095, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Fax: +255 51 668375
E-mail: cichlids@africaonline.co.tz
URL: http://www.algonet.se/~cichlids/index.html
URL: http://travel.to/tanganyika
Type of business: African Diving LTD TANZANIA is a Swedish owned company exporting wild cichlids from lakes Tanganyika and Malawi throughout the world. The Tanganyika collecting station is located at the shore of the lake near Cape Mpimbwe and the Malawi station is situated on the shore of the lake in Mbamba bay, near the border to Mozambique. African Diving LTD is the only company in Africa collecting and exporting wild cichlids from both lake Tanganyika and lake Malawi and has during 12 years in the business introduced many new fishes to the aquarium hobby.
If you want to import genuine wild cichlids direct from Tanzania please send us an e-mail or fax and we will give you further information or direct you to the nearest dealer.

Aqua Products LTD
Address: P.O.Box 34, Kigoma, Tanzania
Tel. 2408
Telex 25084 AQUA
Fax 3707
Name of manager: Mr. Vaitha
Type of business: Commercial: Exporters of live tropical fish
Major markets: W. Germany
Remarks: Volume depends on flight regularity from Kigoma or Dar-es-Salaam

Tropical Fishes
Address: B.P. 222 Kalemie, D.R. Congo
Type of business: Capturing and export of ornamental fish
Name of manager: Mr. Simuke Ngweka
Major markets: Germany
Remarks: The direction of the company is based in Kalemie but the station of Uvira is the operational location

ILFEC
Address: B.P. 222 Kalemie, D.R. Congo
Type of business: Capturing and export of ornamental fish
Name of manager: Mr. Mavinga Joachim
Major markets: England
Remarks: The direction of the company is based in (Kingabwa). Diving equipment and oxygen is difficult to find on the market.

Blignaut Exports Ltd
Address: P.O.Box 32790 Lusaka, Zambia
Tel.: 4 455 115 or 4 455 103
Telex: 64766
Fax: 4 455 115
Type of business: Ornamental Fish Export
Name of Manager: Mr. J. Blignaut (Director), Mr. R. Bills (Manager)
Estimated volume/year: 300 - 400 boxes/year (size: 65x45x36 cm)
Major markets: Europe - USA

Cape Cachese Fisheries Ltd
Address: P.O.Box 32790 Lusaka, Zambia
Tel. : 04 455 039 or 04 455 115
Telex: 64766
Fax: 04 455 039 or 04 455 115
Type of business: Ornamental Fish Export
Name of Manager: Mr. C. Blignaut (Director), Mr. R. Bills (Manager)
Estimated volume/year: 300 - 400 boxes/year (size: 65x45x36 cm)
Major markets: Germany, Holland, USA

Rift Valley Tropicals Ltd
Address: P.O.Box 34065 Lusaka, Zambia
Tel.:
•   Lusaka: 01-225715 or 01-226058 or 01-221521
•   c/o Mpulungu Fisheries: 04 455 101 Telex: 40145 DON
•   Lusaka: 01-226 058  c/o CALTEX 04 45585
Type of business: Ornamental fishing
Name of Manager: Mr. Toby Veall
Estimated volume/year: Approximately 800 boxes/year (size 2x smaller than Blignaut export Ltd)

Other possible addresses of companies who where going to start this type of business:

Saabra Fisheries Ltd
Address: Private bag, 14 Mpulungu, Zambia

St George Fisheries Ltd
Address: P.O.Box 58 Mpulungu, Zambia