Biosecurity plan and translocation policy guidelines

Aquatic animal diseases can have severe impacts on aquaculture, fisheries, and the natural environment. Governments and industry share responsibilities for managing the risks associated a with the spread of aquatic animal diseases.

Multiple guidelines are available to help industry and governments effectively manage these risks, including guidelines for:

• the development of on-farm biosecurity plans
• the translocation of live aquatic animals
• the translocation of bait and berley products

National biosecurity plan guidelines and templates

The development of a generic and several sector-specific biosecurity plan guidelines and templates was identified as a national industry-government priority in AQUAPLAN 2014-2019.

Biosecurity describes the systems put in place to protect your farm from diseases. These systems will reduce the risk of diseases entering, spreading within, and exiting from your farm and will reduce the impacts of disease if an outbreak does occur.

Farm biosecurity plans address these areas through records management, staff training and administration of the farm. Farm biosecurity plans should be fit for purpose and balance practicality, cost, and regulatory requirements. Ultimately, the proposed biosecurity practices should improve the biological, operational, and economic performance of the farm. Good biosecurity practice should be as simple and low cost as possible to achieve the desired outcomes.

The biosecurity plan guidelines provided below were collaboratively developed by industry and governments to provide Australian aquaculture farmers with the tools and templates to create practical, cost-effective, and auditable biosecurity plans.

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A final draft of the National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for Australian Prawn Farms (2019) is available on request. If you would like a copy of the final draft prawn plan or have any questions about the above guidelines, please contact the Aquatic Pest and Health Policy section.

The generic Aquaculture Farm Biosecurity Plan - guidelines and template provided above is not targeted at a specific aquaculture sector and can be adapted to a specific sector or aquaculture production system.

Note: National biosecurity plan guidelines and templates for the Australian native farmed freshwater finfish industry are in development and will be made available by mid-2022.

National Aquaculture Industry Biosecurity Survey

A national survey of 122 farm owners and managers from eight Australian aquaculture sectors was conducted in 2018. The survey aimed to investigate what farmers think about biosecurity and their current practices, and the best ways to support farmers in implementing plans on their farms.

A summary of the survey results is provided below and includes next steps to be undertaken as part of AQUAPLAN 2022-2027.

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Translocation policy guidelines

National Policy Guidelines for the Translocation of Live Aquatic Animals

Live aquatic animals are often translocated to support or enhance recreational fisheries, conservation of endangered species and aquaculture, aquarium, and live seafood industries. While translocation activities have many recognised benefits, there is also the potential to introduce hitchhiking species, undesirable genetic material, or disease into new areas.

These guidelines provide information on the potential risks associated with the movement of live aquatic animals, and guidance on how to conduct a risk assessment as an essential component of a translocation activity. As part of the risk assessment, consideration of relevant laws and regulations should be considered.

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National Policy Guidelines for Translocation of Domestic Bait and Berley

The movement of bait and berley products within Australia has the potential to introduce or spread aquatic animal diseases. The National Policy Guidelines for Translocation of Domestic Bait and Berley (2015) were developed to provide a national framework for creation of bait translocation policies in Australia’s states and territories to address identified disease risks. The guidelines provide information on bait and berley products, the nature of disease risks, principles for policy development, possible instruments for managing identified risks, and a staged approach for policy development.

General information on the appropriate use of bait and berley in Australia can also be found at What you can do to protect Australia’s aquatic animal health.

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