Thai Cabinet to soon approve Siamese Fighting Fish as national aquatic animal

BANGKOK, December 26 (TNA) - The Thai Cabinet is expected to soon approve the Siamese Fighting Fish, or Betta Splendens, as the national aquatic animal. Thai Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Grisada Boonrach told journalists on December 25 that he has issued an order to the Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Director-General of the Department of Fisheries to urgently send a letter to the Secretariat to the Cabinet to propose the issue for the Cabinet's final approval shortly. The minister said that the move followed an initial approval of the Siamese Fighting Fish as the national aquatic animal by the National Identity Committee last week and its recent registration as Thailand's cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture. The minister explained that the Siamese Fighting Fish has become a cultural and historical legend and identity for the nation for a long time, witnessed by its name showing its origin that has been widely recognized internationally. Besides, the breeding of the Siamese Fighting Fish has brought about innovative commercial and fishery benefits, as well as economic values tremendously to the nation with the "Thai identity", like the Japanese Carp Fish. The minister acknowledged that the Thai identity of the Siamese Fighting Fish also prevents it from being patented by other countries, based on the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). (TNA)