As part of efforts to safeguard ecological security and biodiversity, China has released a list of key controlled invasive alien species at ports.

The list, jointly released by six government bodies including the General Administration of Customs (GAC), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, took effect on May 1 this year.

Anyone who imports alien species on the list without authorization will have the items confiscated and face a fine ranging from 50,000 to 250,000 RMB. If the violation constitutes a crime, criminal responsibility will be pursued in accordance with the law.

The list identifies the first batch of high-priority alien species requiring strict oversight at ports of entry. It includes 21 families (genera or species) across four categories: insects, mollusks, fish, and amphibians.

These alien species have no natural distribution in China. Once introduced and established, they pose a high risk of damaging the country's ecological security and biodiversity, leading to severe ecological and economic consequences.

In February, customs officers at Gongbei Port seized five Serrasalmus rhombeus from an inbound passenger's luggage. Commonly known as the Black Piranha, this ornamental fish can grow to more than 50 centimeters in length and is known for its aggressive and ferocious nature. If introduced into local waters, it would prey heavily on native aquatic species and could pose a physical threat to humans.

Currently, ornamental fish with potential invasive risks, including Serrasalmus rhombeus, have been officially included in the list.

In recent years, China has stepped up efforts to guard against and respond to invasive alien species by improving relevant rules and regulations, and strengthening inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms.

The country passed its first biosecurity law in 2020 and issued its first biodiversity white paper in 2021.

In 2022, China introduced measures for the administration of invasive alien species and released a list of key managed invasive alien species, identifying 59 invasive species as primary targets for prevention and control.

However, in customs enforcement practices, species are frequently seized at ports that are not included on the existing list of key managed invasive alien species.

"For these alien species, we also need to develop a dedicated controlled list at ports. On the one hand, this will improve the precision of port inspections and provide a legal basis for customs enforcement; on the other hand, it will help the public fully understand the potential risks of these species and enhance awareness of national biosafety," said Wang Yiyu, an official from the GAC.