queensland Prawns White Spot Disease Outbreak

[Gad]

1 hour ago, Uthrax said:

There is a hint at the end of the article from the fisheries agent that the infected prawns may have been dumped by one of the farms

that`s not exactly how I interpreted it...

EDIT.. 

quote from article...{Dr Thompson said if the river system was contaminated it could make it harder for farms to recover...... But he said Biosecurity Queensland would not jump to conclusions until more testing was done, including an investigation into whether the prawns came from a nearby farm.}

[Uthrax]

Yeah it could be that the reporter asked if the prawns had been dumped, and got a standard not confirming or denying response. so the reporter added the bit about possible dumping.

Could we see the ban on taking crabs, prawns etc extended from say Victoria point to the seaway?

[Gad]

yeah, it could also be that the reporter asked if Trump was responsible, but like dump/dumping it was not used in the article either

[Gad]

Biosecurity Qld

White Spot Disease Update

14 February 2017
 Current situation

Positive test results for the virus that causes white spot disease (WSD) in prawns have been received from a seventh aquaculture farm south of the LoganRiver. This latest detection confirms that all prawn farms in the region with stock are now infected with the white spot disease virus.

As the virus that causes white spot disease is highly contagious and easily spread, this result is not unexpected.

Treatment work on the seventh property will commence promptly to ensure the virus is destroyed as quickly as possible.

Work continues across the other properties including the gradual process of draining, drying out and clearing sediment from the farms that have already been decontaminated. This is expected to take a number of months.

This is the largest emergency aquatic animal disease response ever in Queensland. To date the Queensland Government has spent $4.4 million on disease control activities, including more than 100 staff members, 3.8 million litres of chlorine and more than 50,000 laboratory tests for the disease.

Following the positive test results from wild caught prawns near the mouth of the LoganRiver last week, no further confirmed positive test results have been received, but more samples are in the process of being tested.

[Drop Bear]

38 minutes ago, Gad said:

This latest detection confirms that all prawn farms in the region with stock are now infected with the white spot disease virus

Sad but not surprising. I hope the industry and fishery can recover.

[Gad]

Biosecurity Qld

White Spot Disease Update

21 February 2017

Current situation

Biosecurity Queensland continues to conduct disease control activities on seven properties infected with the virus that causes white spot disease. Disease control activities are expected to continue for a number of months.

Surveillance has increased along the Queensland coast for signs of white spot disease in prawns. The increased surveillance is an essential part of the response to this exotic threat.

Sampling of wild-caught prawns to test for the virus that causes white spot disease has increased from southern Moreton Bay to Deception Bay in the north, and in the Logan, Brisbane and Pine Rivers. Samples of prawns from all other stocked prawn farms in Queensland will also be tested.

The intensive surveillance will continue for a number of weeks to gain a baseline picture of the virus in Queensland. While the virus hasn’t been found anywhere further afield in Queensland, the surveillance will provide certainty and allow disease control efforts to focus where they are most needed.

This approach has been endorsed by the national Aquatic Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease (AqCCEAD).

Community information sessions

Biosecurity Queensland will be holding regular community drop in sessions for local residents and recreational fishers in the Logan River region.

WSD emergency response staff will be available to answer questions at the following locations: 

25 February 2017 - 8:00-10:00am
Gem Bait & Tackle 281 Stapylton/Jacobs Well Rd, Alberton

4 March 2017 - 8:00-10:00am
Carbrook Cable Ski boat ramp, 80 Ferry Rd, Carbrook

11 March 2017 - 8:00-10:00am
Jacob's Well boat ramp,
2 Esplanade, Jacobs Well

18 March 2017 - 8:00-10:00am
Cabbage Tree Point Rd boat ramp, 354 (end of) Cabbage Tree Point Rd, Steiglitz

25 March 2017 - 8:00-10:00am
Larry Storey Park boat ramp. 4 Albert St, Waterford

1 April 2017 - 8:00-10:00am
Victoria Point boat ramp, Masters Ave, Victoria Point

8 April 2017 - 8:00-10:00am
Logan River Parklands boat ramp, (highway ramp). 1A Curlew Cres, Eagleby

22 April 2017 - 8:00-10:00am
Weinam Creek boat ramp Banana St / Meissner St, Redland Bay

[Gad]

Biosecurity Qld

White Spot Disease Update

3 March 2017

Current situation

Biosecurity Queensland reached a key milestone this week completing treatment of all production ponds in all farms infected with the virus that causes white spot disease in the LoganRiver region.

The response will now focus on the disposal of infected material and decontamination of all impacted farms. This is expected to take a number of months.

Extensive surveillance is underway in MoretonBay and the Pine, Brisbane and LoganRivers. To date, more than 13,000 wild-caught samples have been tested for the virus that causes white spot disease, with only a small number of confirmed positive results. The positive samples were all from the LoganRiver or south of its mouth.

An additional prawn collected south of the Logan River mouth in early February has returned a very low level positive result for white spot syndrome virus, but it is not considered to have white spot disease.

Further sampling at 15 sites in southern MoretonBay has not returned any additional positive results.

Movement controls

A movement control order remains in place on Logan and Albert Rivers prohibiting the removal of green uncooked crustaceans such as prawns, crabs and yabbies.

The use of equipment such as cast nets, crab pots and yabby pumps is allowed in the movement control area, however, anyone wishing to remove crustaceans must cook them within the movement control area which extends to high tide mark along the river. Cooking crustaceans destroys the virus that causes white spot disease so there is no risk a spreading the disease. It is important that anyone wishing to cook their catch before leaving the river, does so safely.

Commercial operators wishing to catch and cook crustaceans from the movement control area should ensure that they are able to meet the required food safety standards prior to commencing operation.

Heavy penalties apply to anyone caught moving green uncooked crustaceans out of the Movement control area.

[Gad]

'Unstoppable' white spot virus detected in Moreton Bay's wild prawns

White spot virus has been found in wild prawns in Moreton Bay off Brisbane and now cannot be stopped, the Queensland Government has confirmed.

Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne briefed commercial fishermen and prawn farmers about the latest outbreak this morning.

Mr Byrne said white spot was found in two locations in the bay.

Queensland's chief biosecurity officer Dr Jim Thompson said the virus was now unstoppable and would have to die out naturally, but the movement control order was designed to contain the spread.

"You don't control the virus if it's in the wild, the aim is to contain it so that it doesn't go any further, and make sure that eradication programs on farms continue to be effective. We can't stop it if it continues to spread slowly," he said.

full story:  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-16/white-spot-virus-spreads-into-wild-prawns-moreton-bay-brisbane/8359212

[jon]

Does this mean all forms of prawining are now banned in the bay as well as the original areas?

[straddiebrad]

you can still crab and prawn in the logan and all infected areas you just had to go by the guide lines set by bio-secruity

witch means cook on site, green crabs and prawns are not too leave cooked ones can

[Gad]

Biosecurity Qld

White Spot Disease Update

16 March 2017

White spot disease program strategy expands across Moreton Bay
 

New detections of the virus that causes white spot disease in prawns collected from northern Moreton Bay have sparked the need for additional measures to contain the disease.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Bill Byrne said the detections near the Redcliffe Peninsular and Deception Bay indicate the disease is more widespread than previously thought.

“After seeing the impact of this disease on the prawn farming industry in the Logan River region, we are taking immediate steps to contain the risk of further spread,” the Minister said.

“A movement control order for the Moreton Bay region is being established with immediate effect.

“It will be in place for three months to allow the government to contain any potential spread of the virus, conduct further testing and determine future action.

“From the start we have worked closely and transparently with industry, Federal authorities and national experts on the biosecurity response to the outbreak.

“Today I have briefed Queensland prawn farmers and representatives from the commercial fishing industry about the establishment of a movement control zone and what it will mean for their businesses.

“A comprehensive public information and education strategy will be used to inform the community about the restrictions that will apply.

“To the end of February the Queensland Government has spent $8.645 million on emergency response activities, guided at all times by the national Aquatic Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases.

“The strategy is endorsed by the Federal Government and supported by the experts who have guided our response activities to date.

“This week we received a report from an independent expert advisory panel which details the likely long-term impacts of white spot disease and options to protect the Queensland industry.

“The report is a comprehensive assessment of the issues the industry faces now and into the future and makes it clear that there will be significant implications from the arrival of white spot syndrome virus in Australia whatever decisions are made.

“The report suggests a number of options and the Government has decided on a course of action that will provide the best chance of preventing the spread of the disease to prawn farms in other parts of the state while enabling commercial fishing to continue in Moreton Bay.

“The good news from the report is that there is no evidence that the virus has impacted on the wild catch of prawns and other crustaceans, even in countries where the prevalence of infection very high. However, it does highlight that limiting the risk of spread should be a priority.

“It explains why the virus poses such a threat to prawn farms and why we must take action to reduce the risk of spread to other parts of Queensland where there is aquaculture.”

Minister Byrne stressed that Queensland’s wild caught and farmed prawns were nutritious and safe to eat and that the movement control order was a precaution against spread of the disease.

Chief Biosecurity Officer Dr Jim Thompson said it was clear further steps were needed in the biosecurity response.

“Until recently we had only received a small number of positive results for white spot disease in prawns and crabs from the local Logan River area, but the new detections mean further movement restrictions are needed to safe guard the state’s multi-million Dollar aquaculture industries,” Dr Thompson said.

“The first step which we are implementing today is to place a movement control order on the broader Moreton Bay region.

“We will then conduct additional intensive surveillance for the virus.

“The new movement control order replaces the existing restrictions in place on the Logan River and extends from Caloundra to the NSW border following the eastern coasts of Bribie, Moreton and Stradbroke Islands.

“To ensure that fishing and the local trade in fresh Moreton Bay seafood can continue, the movement control area will also encompass the western borders of the Gold Coast City Council, Brisbane City Council, and Moreton Bay Regional Councils.

“Fishing, crabbing and catching prawns can continue in Moreton Bay and catchments covered by the order, including the Logan and Albert Rivers, but people will not be able to move uncooked crustaceans such as crabs, prawns, yabbies, Moreton Bay bugs or marine worms, which can carry the disease, out of the area.

“People wishing to move these products out of the area whether for their own consumption or to sell in other markets, will have to cook them first.

“Cooking the animals destroys the virus that causes white spot disease.

“We are meeting with the various industries impacted by this decision to detail what they can and can’t do and explore options that will allow them to continue their business operations while the restrictions are in place.”

Dr Thompson said Queensland will also consult with other jurisdictions as part of the implementation of the new movement control order conditions.

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.

[Gad]

8 hours ago, jon said:

Does this mean all forms of prawining are now banned in the bay as well as the original areas?

Movement controls

A movement control order  prohibits the removal of green uncooked crustaceans such as prawns, crabs and yabbies.

The use of equipment such as cast nets, crab pots and yabby pumps is allowed in the movement control area, however, anyone wishing to remove crustaceans must cook them within the movement control area which extends to high tide mark. Cooking crustaceans destroys the virus that causes white spot disease so there is no risk a spreading the disease. It is important that anyone wishing to cook their catch before leaving the river, does so safely

[Binder]

I have just realised Somerset, Wivanhoe and Lake Baroon are all just outside the zone, and I live in the zone. That means if I fish any of these dams I cant bring any live shrimp home to keep for the next trip, as I wont be able to take them back out of the zone..

Less than impressed with their new containment zone.

[Old Scaley]

I guess the next question is what happens once the white spot is everywhere? At that point we should be able to bring crabs and prawns home to cook because there is nothing to be gained by a containment zone? I am not a marine biologist but it seems there is no chance of stopping the spread.

[kmcrosby78]

20 hours ago, Gad said:

Movement controls

A movement control order  prohibits the removal of green uncooked crustaceans such as prawns, crabs and yabbies.

The use of equipment such as cast nets, crab pots and yabby pumps is allowed in the movement control area, however, anyone wishing to remove crustaceans must cook them within the movement control area which extends to high tide mark. Cooking crustaceans destroys the virus that causes white spot disease so there is no risk a spreading the disease. It is important that anyone wishing to cook their catch before leaving the river, does so safely

Gad can I ask where this came from? If it's from the March 3 update then my interpretation is that it is obsolete and has been replaced by the current update. The key, in my interpretation, is in the wording. In the latest update they don't refer to the 'high tide mark' but are instead speaking of movement of the prawns, etc within 'the area' as in the whole containment zone from the ocean to inland.  In other words they are admitting that the disease has spread 'within' the containment zone and they are focusing on not letting it spread 'out' of the containment zone. Therefore I believe you can take them home and cook them if you live within the containment zone.

See below:

“To ensure that fishing and the local trade in fresh Moreton Bay seafood can continue, the movement control area will also encompass the western borders of the Gold Coast City Council, Brisbane City Council, and Moreton Bay Regional Councils.

“Fishing, crabbing and catching prawns can continue in Moreton Bay and catchments covered by the order, including the Logan and Albert Rivers, but people will not be able to move uncooked crustaceans such as crabs, prawns, yabbies, Moreton Bay bugs or marine worms, which can carry the disease, out of the area.

“People wishing to move these products out of the area whether for their own consumption or to sell in other markets, will have to cook them first.

 

[kmcrosby78]

Just had a quick look on Nuggets site and he sent an email to those in charge and it is as I"ve stated above - you can take green prawns, crabs, worms, etc home if you live within the containment zone. It's only if you're taking them out of this zone that you need to cook them. Not good news for wormers that export their live worms interstate, poor bu99ers!! Really feel they should get compensation from someone, but then it's a matter of who.

[Gad]

2 hours ago, kmcrosby78 said:

Gad can I ask where this came from? .

See below:

“To ensure that fishing and the local trade in fresh Moreton Bay seafood can continue, the movement control area will also encompass the western borders of the Gold Coast City Council, Brisbane City Council, and Moreton Bay Regional Councils.....................
“People wishing to move these products out of the area whether for their own consumption or to sell in other markets, will have to cook them first.

Kelvin you are correct

I highlighted the extended movement control area in my post and then forgot about it in my follow up post.

So, how many people will take their fresh prawns home to Brissy, Gc etc and decide not to cook them all and leave some to take on a fishing trip up to the Sunny Coast or down to the Tweed.

Wasn`t slack Government control partly?/fully? responsible for white spot being in imported fresh prawns to start with.

 

 

 

[straddiebrad]

so if i get live prawns from the logan and say they have white spot,and take them the the pine wouldnt that be spreading the white spot,it should be cook where you catch and not be able to transport them all over the place.i have heard that china or japan one of them had a similar problem they had it fixed in 6 months i was told

 

 

[Drop Bear]

1 hour ago, straddiebrad said:

.i have heard that china or japan one of them had a similar problem they had it fixed in 6 months i was told

I hope this is true. It's all very scary. 

[Gad]

The link below has a clear map of the movement control area and contains a larger area than first thought

 
https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/animal-industries/animal-health-and-diseases/a-z-list/white-spot-disease

The movement control for crustaceans in SE QLD has been expanded

 

The area to which the order relates

The area to which the movement control order applies is indicated in the map at attachment 1 and includes:

• The Eastern boundary is defined as 1 OOm seawards of the ocean beaches from the Queensland/New South Wales border to the tip of Moreton Island, along the northern shore of Moreton Island to Comboyuro Point, across to Skirmish Point on Bribie Island, up the eastern ocean beach to the tip of Bribie Island and across to Caloundra Head.

• The inland boundary is defined by the local government areas Moreton Bay Regional Council, Logan City, Brisbane City, Logan City Ipswich City and Gold Coast City, and selected localities from Sunshine Coast Regional Council: Bells Creek, Beerburrum, Beerwah, Booroobin, Bribie Island North, Caloundra, Caloundra West, Coochin Creek, Crohamhurst, Kings Beach, Glass House Mountains, Golden Beach, Mount Mellum, Moffat Beach, Landsborough, Peachester, Pelican Waters and Shelly Beach.

Movement Control4. Persons to whom this movement control order applies

To achieve the purpose of this movement control order, the order applies to persons within the movement control order area. Under section 126 of the Act, a person to whom a movement control order applies must comply with the order. The maximum penalty for failure to comply with a movement control order is a fine of 2000 penalty units or 1 year’s imprisonment.

5. The prohibitions and restrictions that must be complied with by persons to whom this order applies

The prohibitions and restrictions that must be complied with by persons to whom this order applies are as follows: (a) A person must not remove the following white spot syndrome virus carriers out of the movement control area unless the person has a biosecurity instrument permit issued under section 132 of the Act: (i) decapod crustaceans; and (ii) polychaete worms (b) However the following carriers are excluded from the restriction stated in paragraph (a) above: (i) cooked carriers; and (ii) uncooked carriers that have originated from outside the movement control order area and are transiting through the movement control order area in commercially sealed, unopened packages that pass through the area without stopping. (c) A person within the movement control order area must allow an inspector appointed under the Act or a person under the direction of an inspector appointed under the Act to: (i) Inspect, examine, film or test any white spot syndrome virus carrier; (ii) Treat or destroy any white spot syndrome virus carrier; (iii) Clean or disinfect any place, including any structure or thing at a place; or (iv) Take any white spot syndrome virus carrier for inspection, testing, treatment or destruction. (d) A person to whom this movement control order relates must notify an inspector about­ (i) the presence of controlled white spot syndrome virus; or (ii) if the person reasonably suspects the presence of white spot syndrome virus.

6. Period of the order

The movement control order will stay in force for three (3) months after 16 March 2017 unless earlier revoked.

7. Revocation of previous movement control order

The movement control order made on 21 January 2017 in relation to white spot syndrome virus in the Logan and Albert Rivers is revoked.

8. Authorisation
Elizabeth Woods
Director-General
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

[kmcrosby78]

Brad, Brad, Brad, Brad, Brad ...... your idea sounds much too much like commonsense ....... no wonder you don't work for the government ........

[Gad]

Biosecurity Qld

White Spot Disease Update

24 March 2017

Current situation

Biosecurity Queensland is continuing disease control activities on the seven infected properties in the Logan River region. Following completion of chlorine treatment in the production ponds on all properties, the process to decontaminate and dispose of infected material is now well underway.

The discharge of water is continuing on out-going tides from three of the seven properties. The water is being monitored closely and only released after analysis confirms the water quality exceeds the standards set by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.
 

Surveillance

Extensive surveillance continues in the Moreton Bay area. To date, more than 19,000 wild-caught samples have been tested for white spot, with around 150 confirmed positive results. The positive samples were from the Logan River, Deception Bay and near the Redcliffe Peninsula.

Extended surveillance across Queensland is also underway, collecting prawn samples from production ponds in all stocked prawn farms in Queensland. Many of these samples are currently undergoing testing for white spot and the remainder will be tested shortly. Results from these tests are expected in the coming weeks.
 

Movement controls

Due to positive detections of white spot near the Redcliffe Peninsula and Deception Bay, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has implemented an expanded movement control area.

The new movement control area extends from Caloundra to the New South Wales (NSW) border, following a line 100 meters off the eastern coasts of Bribie, Moreton and Stradbroke Islands.

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1237292/Movement-control-order-map.pdf

Under the movement control order prawns, crabs, yabbies and marine worms must not be removed from the movement control area unless cooked. Cooking crustaceans destroys the virus that causes white spot so there is no risk of it spreading.

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1016339/Movement-control-order.pdf

The NSW Government has also issued an Importation Order that effectively prohibits the entry or importation of live or dead crustaceans and worms taken from the movement control order zone. However, cooked crustaceans from the movement control zone will be permitted to enter NSW.

The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is continuing discussions with aquaculture, commercial fishing, seafood retailers and processors, and recreational fishing groups about the new movement control order and offering management support.

An extensive awareness and education strategy is currently being rolled out to inform the community about the changes to the movement control area. The activities will include community engagement at boat ramps, industry forums, advertising, mailouts, and signage in key locations.

For more information visit our frequently asked questions on the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website.

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1237284/White-spot-disease-FAQ.pdf

[Angry51]

Hi all, I'm probably out of line here  but why isn't the restrictions all up the QLD coast.

This will be like the cane toads.

Nip it in the bud before it gets a hold, I don't go prawning and respect the people who do,

but at the end of the day we're all responsible for our fisheries, onshore/offshore,

doesn't matter.I like eating prawns but not real keen on eating something with whitespot,

they say it's safe but who knows what the Government tells us, They have told fibs before.

All prawns caught should be cooked before they leave the boat ramp.

I know sounds like a lot of extra work, but how much do you value your seafood.

Would like some comment, good or bad, just asking

   Gary

[Binder]

It will be the full length of the east coast within a year, particularly if we get a late rain influence from that cyclone up north - push all the prawns out in to the ocean where they will mix before heading back up stream to breed...

[Old Scaley]

A few things to think about. Firstly, white spot may have been out in the wild population for years but there has been no real monitoring. Secondly, the main currents off the east coast run north to south so that may help protect the wild populations north of the current control area. Thirdly, anyone who has been eating imported prawns has already been eating infected prawns so I think we can trust the government view on the risks to humans.  It also has no impact on fish that eat infected prawns.

Seems like the biggest issue is the impact on farmed prawns and the viability of those operations if the virus can't be minimised.  The close proximity of huge numbers of prawns in the ponds mean that they will struggle to contain the virus in those systems.

[Angry51]

4 minutes ago, Old Scaley said:

A few things to think about. Firstly, white spot may have been out in the wild population for years but there has been no real monitoring. Secondly, the main currents off the east coast run north to south so that may help protect the wild populations north of the current control area. Thirdly, anyone who has been eating imported prawns has already been eating infected prawns so I think we can trust the government view on the risks to humans.  It also has no impact on fish that eat infected prawns.

Seems like the biggest issue is the impact on farmed prawns and the viability of those operations if the virus can't be minimised.  The close proximity of huge numbers of prawns in the ponds mean that they will struggle to contain the virus in those systems.

Just stuffed that up, I wanted to comment on your 3rd comment, the problem hasn't been recognised for long enough, as in agent

orange in veitnam.( no suggestion it any where related) but the effects probably won't be known for years (What happens in years to come if it has long term effects on humans).You say the currents run from north to south, where does the problem come from, the north, I think.. I'm not an expert on anything just voicing my thoughts.

Wouldn't it be safer to include the whole of QLD coast now instead of saying later we should have done this

Be good

Gary

[Old Scaley]

Not disagreeing with you Gary. Obviously what should have happened years ago was to not allow uncooked prawns from areas that had the virus.  But that horse has well and truly bolted and it is a case of too little too late. 

A better example might have been asbestos because I don't think anyone ever pretended that agent orange was safe for kiddies.  If you ever get the chance to go to the war museum in Saigon, take plenty of tissues. I have never been so ashamed to be an Australian even though I know we didn't drop that stuff we were part of it all. What happened to those poor people was criminal and inhumane and achieved absolutely nothing except hardship.

Anyway, I guess my long winded point was that we need to trust the scientists and hope they can work constructively with the pollies to protect what is an important industry for Queensland. 

Stay safe up there mate. Debbie might be a big one.

[Angry51]

Yeah, Old Scaley, Agent orange was probably wrong example, but you do understand what I was referring to.

As to the import of seafood well we won't go there as in the import of all things that should be made here, that is

what has made us a second rate country. I was just voicing my opinion, it's the same as fight fire with fire, get to the source of the 

problem instead of pussy footing around the edges. Too late after it has closed down all the prawn trawlers on the east coast.

Lots of livelihoods lost there, then every thing will be imported.

Shouldn't be any imports of food products into this country. FULL STOP.

I've enjoyed your conversation, Be good

                                                                      Gary

[Gad]

with us being fairly isolated from the rest of the world and the major out breaks of white spot that we have had here being in farmed prawns, and with only a few (up till the present) being found in isolated pockets of wild prawns (Darwin in  2000`s?) now Logan mouth/Moreton Bay, Deception Bay, being a 100% mortality rate disease I would assume that the fish that dine on prawns would very quickly swoop on the sick, dying, dead infected prawns in the wild and play a big part in restricting and neutralising a high risk of the disease getting a firm foothold in our wild stocks. After all the small out break that occurred in the wild stock in the Northern Territory disappeared.

[Gad]

Biosecurity Qld

White Spot Disease Update

31 March 2017

Current situation

The Logan River is flooded due to the impact of ex Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie, however all prawn farms previously infected with white spot have completed their destruction activities and are well advanced in their disposal and decontamination process. At this time all risks appear managed but will continue to be monitored as the effects of the rain event and flooding persist.

While we have had positive white spot detections in the movement control area, there is no clear evidence this disease has established in the wild in Queensland. The effects of the rain event post Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie on white spot in the wild are unknown at this time.

However, extensive surveillance has commenced in natural waterways along the east coast of Queensland to look for signs of white spot.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ (DAF) research teams are working closely with commercial trawlers along the east coast to collect samples in key locations over a three month period.

The extended surveillance follows the confirmation that white spot was found in northern Moreton Bay two weeks ago. Since then, further intensive surveillance in and around Moreton Bay has taken place and additional positive detections for the virus have been found.

Around 50 prawns (greasy back, brown tiger and banana prawns), that were collected from the Deception Bay area, tested positive for the virus that causes white spot.

The new findings confirm the need to restrict the movement of products that can spread the virus, which is the intention of the movement control order that is in place across the Moreton Bay region.

Commercial crab operators, some prawn trawlers, commercial wormers and yabby collectors have all been significantly impacted by the movement control zones, as it means that they cannot send raw or live product to their usual markets.

That is why we are encouraging Queenslanders to buy locally from these commercial fishers and local fish shops to help support them through this time.

 

Movement controls

The movement control zone extends from Caloundra to the New South Wales border, following a line 100 meters off the eastern coasts of Bribie, Moreton and Stradbroke Islands.

Under the movement control order prawns, crabs, yabbies and marine worms must not be removed from the movement control area unless cooked.

Cooking crustaceans destroys the virus that causes white spot so there is no risk of it spreading. It is important that anyone wishing to cook their catch before leaving the movement control area, does so safely.

Commercial operators wishing to catch and cook crustaceans from the movement control area should ensure that they are able to meet the required food safety standards prior to commencing operation.

The New South Wales and Western Australian governments have tightened restriction around the importation of live or dead crustaceans and worms taken from the movement control order zone. Read about the New South Wales importation order for white spot

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/692359/Importation-Order-White-Spot-No-1-2017.pdf

 

and the Western Australian import controls for white spot.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/About-Us/Media-releases/Pages/Tighter-import-controls-to-protect-WA-fisheries-from-white-spot-disease.aspx

[Binder]

So I wonder how much "contaminated" spoil from those ponds has now washed in to the bay.........they were only part way through cleaning it all up.

[Gad]

Biosecurity Qld

White Spot Disease Update

13 April 2017

Current situation

Disease control activities are continuing on the prawn farms on the LoganRiver, however the recent weather event associated with Tropical Cyclone Debbie delayed activities for a short time.

Surveillance for the virus that causes white spot is continuing along the east coast of Queensland. Tropical Cyclone Debbie also interrupted some surveillance activities in some locations along the east coast of Queensland.

The first round of prawn samples collected under the enhanced northern surveillance have returned negative results for the virus that causes white spot. Results for prawn samples collected from other sites are expected soon.
 

Movement controls

Biosecurity Queensland is issuing a reminder about the white spot movement control order and the restriction on the movement of uncooked crustaceans out of the area.

The white spot movement control area extends from Caloundra to the New South Wales border, following a line 100 metres off the eastern coasts of Bribie, Moreton and StradbrokeIslands.

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1237292/Movement-control-order-map.pdf

Under the movement control order, prawns, crabs, yabbies and marine worms must not be removed from the movement control area unless cooked.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol will be on the water monitoring fishing activity over the Easter break.

[Gad]

Biosecurity Qld

White Spot Disease Update

21 April 2017

Current situation

Disease control activities have resumed on the impacted prawn farms in the LoganRiver region after they were suspended for a short time due to the weather event associated with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

Surveillance is continuing along the east coast of Queensland from the SunshineCoast to Cairns. So far, eight samples, consisting of approximately 150 prawns per sample, have been collected in Tin Can Bay, Bundaberg and Cairns, with all sample results expected next week.

Queensland seafood is among the best in the world – tuck on in!

Sam Thaiday has come on board to support a new state-wide campaign encouraging Queenslanders to purchase local seafood. View and share the ‘Buy local seafood’ campaign video on our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/141031799242532/posts/1506199729392392

The video was launched in front of 40,000 people at the Broncos versus Roosters home game at Suncorp Stadium and more than 250,000 people have watched the video in the first two weeks on Fisheries Queensland’ Facebook page. The campaign will continue throughout 2017.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries launched the video with assistance from the Queensland Seafood Marketing Association.

[Gad]

I didn`t know dugong got white spot  

[Binder]

What I am wanting to know is where is all this cheap seafood they cant move out of the control area?

Prawns crabs etc are still the same price in local shops!

[Gad]

Biosecurity Qld

White Spot Disease Update

28 April 2017

Current situation

The seven prawn farms that were impacted by white spot in the Logan River region are in their final stages of treatment. All ponds on the affected farms have been treated, and water from the ponds is now in the process of being discharged.

Surveillance for white spot is continuing in the movement control area with samples being collected in the Moreton Bay region. Tests on samples that were caught near the mouth of the Brisbane River and the Deception Bay area in mid-April have returned a positive result for the virus that causes white spot. The positive results were from banana, greasy back and brown tiger prawns.

Surveillance is also continuing along the east coast of Queensland from the Sunshine Coast to Cairns. To date, all samples that have been collected outside the movement control area have returned negative results for the virus that causes white spot.

Financial assistance

The Palaszczuk Government has approved an additional $20 million to be provided to primary producers as concessional loans following an unprecedented uptake for financial assistance and to support prawn farmers affected by white spot to rebuild their businesses.  

Movement controls

Restrictions  prohibiting the movement of uncooked crustaceans out of the white spot movement control area remain in place. The movement control area extends from Caloundra to the New South Wales border, following a line 100 metres off the eastern coasts of Bribie, Moreton and Stradbroke Islands

[Gad]

Biosecurity Qld

White Spot Disease Update

5 May 2017

Current situation

Decontamination of the seven prawn farms that were impacted by white spot in the Logan River region is expected to be completed next week. All farms have been treated and the remaining water from some of these farms is in the process of being discharged.

The discharge of water is monitored closely to ensure the water quality meets the standards set by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.

This is the largest aquatic animal disease response in Queensland with all seven infected premises treated with more than 6.3 million litres of chlorine.

The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is discussing with the prawn farming industry options for returning the prawn farms to production and the timing of restocking.

Boat ramp sign

The white spot community engagement team are putting up a further 100 signs at key boat ramps and fishing spots within the movement control area. If you see any signs that are damaged and need replacing or an area you think a sign needs to go, make sure you let us know by contacting Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or via our Facebook page.

[Gad]

Biosecurity Qld

White Spot Disease Update

12 May 2017

Current situation

Biosecurity Queensland is on track to complete treatment on all infected prawn farms in South East Queensland.

Final chlorination and discharge of water from all seven prawn farms along the Logan River is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

Due to extensive rainfall and increased water levels following ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie, the process was extended to allow for treatment of additional water on the farms.

A thorough decontamination process has been undertaken, including treating the water on the seven prawn farms.

Financial assistance to prawn farmers

The Federal Government is delivering additional assistance of up to $20 million for Queensland prawn farmers affected by the recent outbreak of white spot.

The Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, said that the assistance would cover owner reimbursement costs for prawn farmers affected by the outbreak, including the costs of their farms being out of action for a season as part of an agreed eradication response plan.

[Gad]

Australian Agriculture Department officials have estimated that nearly half of all imported raw prawns were infected with white spot disease before imports were suspended in January.

The officials told a Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra on Wednesday that six importers supplied "the vast majority" of the contaminated prawns.

 

Full story: http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-05-24/white-spot-prawn-estimates-half-prawn-imports-infected/8554826?WT.ac=statenews_qld

[Binder]

only half?