Alarm raised over import plan for fishy pedicure business

IT’S not whacking us with a wet trout — a beauty chain wants to import an exotic species for an altogether different purpose.

A BEAUTY chain has applied to the Federal Government to import an exotic Middle Eastern fish to nibble dead skin off clients’ feet.

The Environment Department is deciding whether doctor fish can be imported for fishy pedicures which have become a fad in the UK, US and parts of Asia.

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The pedicures are also considered a natural treatment for conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

Animal welfare concerns have been raised about the fish’s potential to spread aquatic and human diseases, an issue that caused them to be banned in some countries.

Queensland RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said it seemed there were few valid reasons to import yet another exotic species.

“I’m aware of this practice occurring in Asia for many years but is it worth the risk here?” he said. “As I understand it, there are many treatments available for people who want to remove dead skin from their feet.

“Surely we already have enough problems with species like tilapia and carp?”

Mr Beatty said there also were issues about the disposal of fish and how they would be handled.

“It does raise concerns in regard to care,” he said. “It’s not the fault of salons but ­obviously you would not expect beauticians to be experienced in looking after fish.”

A draft assessment of the application warned that most salon owners have no experience in the care or identification of fish and that there have been many instances where shipments of juvenile doctor fish have turned out to be the dreaded tilapia.

It said permits would be required for importers and responsible ownership would be sufficient to restrict wild populations emerging.

A departmental spokesman said the applicant’s identity would not be released. The assessment report is available for public comment until August 19.

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Originally published as Alarm raised over import plan for fishy pedicure business