Chris Packham CBE, a well-known animal welfare campaigner, has recently accused eBay of allowing irresponsible cruelty towards pet fish. This accusation comes after a customer, Tara Smith, purchased 10 cardinal tetra fish from a private seller on eBay, only to find them in distressing conditions upon arrival.
Tara was shocked to discover one dead fish and the remaining ones pale, stressed, and listlessly swimming around in a 330ml bottle. She described the journey of the fish as being akin to them being „thrown around in a washing machine.“ Unfortunately, four more fish died days later, leaving only five of the original ten surviving.
eBay’s live animals policy states that sellers can list aquarium or pond fish up to 5cm long, as long as they have necessary government permits and guarantee safe overnight delivery. However, Chris Packham criticized this policy, calling it „blatant persecution“ and arguing that suggesting a size limit to suffering and cruelty is absurd.
The RSPCA has also expressed concern over eBay’s current policies regarding the sale and shipping of live fish. They have stated that they will be reaching out to eBay to discuss these issues further. Despite eBay’s guidelines, many sellers on the platform continue to list live fish for sale, including the cardinal tetra that Tara purchased.
Some buyers have reported receiving fish in inappropriate packaging, such as cardboard boxes and plastic bags wrapped in paper, which is prohibited. Others have complained that their fish arrived dead on arrival. Royal Mail’s prohibited and restricted items list specifically states that they do not accept fish or fish fry for shipping.
eBay has confirmed that sellers are allowed to post live fish to customers as long as they are under 5cm and can guarantee safe delivery. However, it remains unclear whether „safe delivery“ refers to the parcel arriving or the fish surviving. Despite numerous complaints from buyers, eBay has not indicated whether they will take any action against the seller in question.
Tara, the buyer of the cardinal tetra fish, expressed her anger and upset over the situation, emphasizing that even fish have brains and can feel pain and suffering. She described the conditions in which the fish arrived as stressful and lacking in oxygen, comparing it to being thrown around in a washing machine.
In response to the incident, Dominic Whitmee, chief executive of the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA), urged buyers to check how their fish will arrive when purchasing online and to refuse to buy from sellers who do not use authorized couriers. The RSPCA also emphasized the importance of treating all animals with kindness and respect, including pet fish.
Overall, the situation involving the sale and shipping of live fish on eBay raises important ethical and welfare concerns. It is crucial for online platforms like eBay to ensure that their policies and practices do not result in harm or suffering to the animals being sold. Customers are encouraged to be vigilant and responsible when purchasing live animals online, and to prioritize the well-being of the animals above all else.
