KEY POINTS:
Biosecurity New Zealand admits it has an uphill job to find all of the genetically modified tropical fish brought into New Zealand after destroying 300 seized this week.
The seized tropical aquarium fish, zebra danio, found at four Christchurch premises, had been genetically modified with a red fluorescent protein to make them a bright red/pink colour.
An incorrect declaration by an importer, who believed they were dyed rather than genetically modified, allowed up to 400 fish to get past New Zealand border authorities this year.
It is believed the fish would have been breeding since then.
Biosecurity NZ incursion manager David Yard said the fish posed an extremely low risk in biosecurity terms, as they were unlikely to enter the food chain or have any environmental impacts.
"They are tropical so are unlikely to be able to survive outside a temperature-controlled tank," Mr Yard said,
There was no risk to humans, but a risk of breeding with other fish in New Zealand and altering the gene pool.
"The presence of these fish in New Zealand has not, however, been authorised and they are illegal new organisms in breach of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act."
It is thought the fish are either part of, or bred from, a consignment of red danio fish that were imported from Singapore. The fish seized in Christchurch on Wednesday had been spotted for sale on the internet.
Biosecurity NZ is working with the aquarium fish community to try to track down other modified fish from, or bred from, the original consignment.
"We do have to concede that finding and euthanising all the fish involved is going to be challenging," Mr Yard said.
"Even so, we are attempting the most comprehensive job we can. New Zealand has laws around this and it needs to be clear that there are consequences to illegally importing, possessing and selling GM organisms."
Mr Yard said the GM fish would be popular because of its point of difference "like the colour of the day".
"The brighter and more different it is, the more collectable it is."
Bob Ward, of Redwood Aquatics, said he first came across fish modified with a fluorescent gene from a jellyfish overseas a few years ago.
He said their legal importation would be of little significance in the tropical fish market in New Zealand, but they would have a point of difference.
"Sometimes, if it's a fish no one else could get, there's more potential for sale than those that everyone has got."
