TODAY the Queensland Government approved a new biosecurity regulation aimed at strengthening the containment of white spot disease and further protecting Queensland’s multi-million dollar seafood industry.
The new regulation will provide a balance between preventing further outbreaks of the disease and allowing commercial operators to continue to do business where their activities don’t pose a risk to the spread of the disease.
The good news is that raw crabs, lobsters and bugs are no longer considered a risk for spreading white spot and can now be moved out of the restricted area. These high-value species are caught and sold for the sole purpose of being eaten and the risk of infected animals being returned to natural waterways and spreading the disease is low.
While fishers will now be able to move these exempt species out of the restricted area, anyone wishing to move them interstate must check the importation requirements of the destination state before doing so.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries have identified that the movement of raw prawns, yabbies and marine worms poses the greatest risk for spreading the white spot virus and as such movement restrictions will remain in place for those species until we are confident that white spot no longer poses a risk.
Fishing restrictions have also been introduced within 100metres of inlet and outlet channels and in all drainage channels of prawn farms in the Logan River region. This will provide a level of protection should the white spot virus be accidently introduced to that area.
Movement restrictions continue to apply to prawns, yabbies and marine worms in the designated area from Caloundra to the New South Wales border.
The exemption for low-risk species applies to spanner crabs, three spotted crabs, blue swimmer crabs, mud crabs, red champagne lobsters, slipper lobsters, tropical rock lobsters, red claws and bugs.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries remains committed to working with industry to contain the spread of this virus and support business operations and recreational activities in South East Queensland.
Listen to an interview with Dr Jim Thompson on the white spot regulations or download the white spot information guide for more information.
Updated movement restrictions
To reduce the likelihood of white spot spreading, movement restrictions are in place. This means that raw prawns, yabbies and marine worms cannot be removed from the restricted area which extends from Caloundra to the New South Wales border, following a line 100metres off the eastern coasts of Bribie, Moreton and Stradbroke Islands.
Crustaceans, other than those exempt, caught in the restricted area must stay within the area, unless they are cooked first, as cooking destroys the virus that causes white spot.
The movement restrictions also apply to frozen, uncooked crustaceans as freezing does not destroy the virus.
The following items must not be removed from the restricted zone unless cooked first:
• Prawns
• Yabbies
• Marine worms
Penalties may apply to anyone who breaches these restrictions.
Bait prawns (including freshly caught yabbies and marine worms) sourced from outside the restricted area can be used, however, once brought into the restricted area, they cannot be moved back out.
To ensure the ongoing health of our marine habitat, fishers should only use Australian wild-caught prawns as bait purchased from a local bait supplier. Imported, uncooked prawns may pose a risk for the introduction of exotic diseases such as white spot.
Exemption for crabs, lobsters and bugs
Crabs, lobsters and bugs are exempt from the movement restrictions and can be taken out of the restricted area. As these animals are caught and sold for the sole purpose of being eaten, the risk of them being returned to natural waterways and spreading the white spot virus is low.
The exemption applies to spanner crabs, three spotted crabs, blue swimmer crabs, mud crabs, red champagne lobsters, slipper lobsters, tropical rock lobsters, red claws and bugs.
While fishers will now be able to move these exempt species out of the restricted area, anyone wishing to move them interstate must check the importation requirements of the destination state before doing so.
Fishing restrictions
To help prevent further outbreaks of white spot in South East Queensland, fishing is prohibited within 100metres of water intake and outlet channels and in drainage channels used by land-based prawn farms in the Gold Coast City Division 1/Coomera electorate district. This includes line fishing and the use of other fishing equipment such as crab pots, cast nets and yabby pumps.
The restrictions apply to waterways surrounding prawn farms in Alberton, Coomera, Gilberton, Helensvale, Hope Island, Jacobs Well, Norwell, Ormeau, Pimpama, Southern Moreton Bay Islands, Stapylton, Steiglitz and Woongoolba.
Surveillance
Surveillance along the east coast of Queensland is continuing with prawns having been collected from a variety of regions. To date, more than 2000 prawns have been collected with all samples returning negative results for the virus that causes white spot.
Surveillance and sampling along the Queensland coastline has been possible through the voluntary support of commercial and recreational fishers.
Below is a map of the area where the samples were collected and the type of species that were tested.
Importation requirements from other states
To find out requirements for importing Queensland crustaceans into other states it is important to check their relevant websites.
New South Wales – restricts import of prawns, nippers and worms.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/pests-diseases/animal-health/aquaculture/white-spot-disease
South Australia
http://pir.sa.gov.au/aquaculture/aquatic_animal_health/white_spot_disease
Western Australia
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/importing-miscellaneous/biosecurity-alert-white-spot-disease-prawns?page=0%2C1#smartpaging_toc_p1_s0_h2
Northern Territory
https://nt.gov.au/marine/for-all-harbour-and-boat-users/aquatic-pests-marine-and-freshwater/white-spot-disease
Victoria
http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/biosecurity
Tasmania
http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania
Further information
Further information on white spot is available on the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website.
Subscribe to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries aquatic pest and disease alerts for regular updates on the white spot disease response.
