Measures Taken

To combat the problem of overharvesting, the Asian Arowana is a protected species under CITES, which is an international agreement for ensuring that trade does not lead to the extinction of a species. As such, CITES permits are required for trade, and only captive-bred Arowana tagged with microchips are allowed for international trade.

These CITES regulations are enforced in Singapore by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA). The AVA issues the permits for Arowana traders and requires inspection and several details of transportation prior to importation and exportation of Arowana.

In Cambodia, local restrictions are in place such that harvesters are only allowed to harvest during a specific season, and must only take half the fry from an adult. In addition, previous methods of harvesting are now illegal, and farmers may only used hand-held dip nets for harvesting. Violations of these rules would results in large fines and arrests.

An agreement has also been made between local communities and Conservation International (CI) in Cambodia, which prohibits methods of harvesting that would kill the adult males and bans the collection of the Asian Arowana. Studies have suggested that since this agreement was implemented, Arowana numbers have increased, however the long-term effects are still unclear.

In addition, several Arowana farms have been started throughout Southeast Asia, including but not limited to Singapore (the first country to breed Arowana in captivity), Indonesia, and Thailand. This likely reduces the load on natural Arowana populations due to overharvesting, and it presents a more sustainable form of breeding Arowana for commercial purposes.

Measures taken to mitigate the impact of human development on Arowana have been unclear so far.