22 Biosecurity

Biosecurity is important to prevent the introduction and spread of pest animals, plants and diseases, which can devastate seafood and aquaculture industries, reduce biodiversity and change the ecological structure of natural areas. For example, in 1995 and 1998, an introduced virus killed about 70% of the sardines in South Australia.

Pest animals, plants and diseases can disperse beyond their natural range and become established naturally or by human activity, either deliberate or accidental. With increasing trade, shipping transport and development, the risk of new incursions is high. Changes in climate can also alter the distribution and abundance of pests and diseases, and the severity and frequency of outbreaks.

The introduction and establishment of new diseases and invasive species is managed through regulating fisheries translocation, enforcing quarantine measures, and ongoing detection and monitoring for high-priority incursions. Response plans for the eradication or containment of detected diseases or invasive species are developed to guide the mitigation of impacts.

This text is from “Coastal and marine: biosecurity Number of incursions. SA trend and condition report card 2020”, by © Crown in right of the State of South Australia, which is licensed under  CC BY 4.0.

“Serious Invader – Northern Pacific Seastar Asterias amurensis” by John Turnbull is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Biosecurity in Australia

Australia has a relative advantage through its freedom from many aquatic animal diseases that occur in other countries. Maintaining this status is important for the aquaculture industry to ensure growth and profitability is not jeopardised by exotic pathogens or the emergence of endemic pathogens.
To protect the aquaculture industry and the natural environment, appropriate controls must be placed on the introduction and movement of aquatic organisms. Controls help us manage risks associated with disease incursions and emergence. Applying a robust risk-based approach to managing biosecurity for all industries is central to ensuring the biosecurity of Australia’s aquaculture industry. All jurisdictions need to work with industry to manage risks associated with biofouling and ballast water for vessels entering Australian waters and to ensure we meet international obligations. This work will also focus on managing risks associated with importing ornamental fish.
AQUAPLAN is Australia’s comprehensive national strategic plan for aquatic animal health. It outlines priorities for strengthening Australia’s arrangements for managing aquatic animal health to support sustainability, productivity and market access. AQUAPLAN 2014–2019 (Department of Agriculture 2014) has five objectives:

1. To improve regional- and enterprise-level biosecurity
2. To strengthen emergency disease preparedness and response capability
3. To enhance surveillance and diagnostic services
4. To improve the availability of appropriate veterinary medicines
5. To improve education, training and awareness.

Activities to address these objectives are underway.
Recent disease outbreaks in the abalone, oyster and prawn industries have highlighted the scale of losses that can be suffered in aquaculture and wild fisheries when disease strikes and the lack of cost-sharing arrangements for aquaculture emergency disease responses.

This text is from the “National Aquaculture Strategy (September 2017)” by © Commonwealth of Australia 2021. August. licensed under CC BY 4.0

Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) as a case study

The Abalone Virus (AVG) causes foot curling, swelling of the mouth and nervous system impacts which lead to weakness and eventual death of the abalone (VFA, 2023). The virus has been a significant issue in areas along the coast of Victoria as well as Tasmania. Most recently, it was detected and observed in early 2022 (VFA, 2023).
In order to reduce the likelihood of spread of the disease, biosecurity measures need to be followed. These include cleaning all snorkelling and diving equipment, surfing equipment, fishing equipment, anything that was removed from the ocean and all vessels. Boats should be cleaned at home or at a commercial car wash, not at the coast. All wetsuits, fishing and diving equipment should be thoroughly cleaned in fresh, soapy water. Abalone can not be used as bait nor can any part of the abalone be thrown into the ocean or used as bait (Agriculture Victoria, 2023).

Watch the below video from FisheriesResearchAU to learn more about AVG and how it impacted the Victorian marine environment, the abalone industry, and it’s practices.

Now, watch the video from Depi Victoria, which explores biosecurity control measures for AVG in more depth, focusing on measures for recreational anglers and divers.