Gad

may be next time with less rush, bring in industrial cookers cook the prawns (killing the disease) box and freeze the prawns for export, then chlorine the pools and do the clean up etc. That way the farmers get some return for their loses.

Biosecurity Queensland Update
White spot disease
25 January 2017

Decontamination and disposal work

Biosecurity Queensland is working with property owners to develop a detailed strategy to safely decontaminate the five infected properties in the Logan River region, with the goal of returning them to production later this year.

The work to restore the properties to operation will take many months and includes the safe treatment and release of water, management of the remaining sediment, including disposal and decontamination, and confirmation testing to ensure the properties are free of white spot syndrome virus.

Production ponds that have been treated with chlorine are being monitored for a period of 40 days to allow for decomposition of remaining crustaceans and inactivation of the virus. It is crucial that enough time is allowed to ensure that all virus is destroyed. The first of the ponds treated are nearing the end of this monitoring period.

Once this process is complete, the release of treated water into the waterways will commence. This will involve further chlorine treatment to destroy any remaining virus and screening to remove solid material. This process ensures that the virus is not released into waterways. The level of chlorine will be monitored and water will only be released when environmentally safe to do so. This process meets the strict criteria outlined by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.

Once empty, ponds will be dried for 30 days and treated with lime to finalise the decontamination.

If no further positive tests for white spot disease are received, it is anticipated that the farms will recommence operation in October 2017 under close surveillance from Biosecurity Queensland.

taken from Dept Agriculture and Fisheries email newsletter
 
Biosecurity Queensland Update
White spot disease update
20 January 2017
Current situation

Biosecurity Queensland has completed the treatment of all production ponds on five aquaculture farms in the Logan River region after white spot disease was detected in late 2016.

This is the largest aquatic animal disease response in Queensland and to date 112 production ponds on five infected premises have been treated with more than 2.8 million litres of chlorine. More than 50,000 tests for white spot disease have been completed on crustacean samples collected from the region and this figure will continue to rise as surveillance is expanded.

Bird mitigation

Bird mitigation activities will decrease over the coming weeks as treatment work is completed and the risk of disease spread through bird movement decreases.

With treatment finished on the first four infected premises, bird mitigation has ceased surrounding those properties. Additionally, the use of bird mitigation techniques such as gas guns will now be limited to 6:00am-6:00pm daily.

Community drop-in sessions

Two community information drop-in sessions are being held this week, with fishers and residents invited to attend. Staff will be available to discuss the emergency response at the below locations:

Thursday 19 January 2017
7am-11am

Skinners Road boat ramp, Carbrook Friday 20 January 2017
7am-11am

Cabbage Tree Point Road boat ramp, Steiglitz

taken from Dept Agriculture and Fisheries email newsletter
 
Biosecurity Queensland Update
White spot disease update
20 January 2017
Current situation

Biosecurity Queensland has completed the treatment of all production ponds on five aquaculture farms in the Logan River region after white spot disease was detected in late 2016.

This is the largest aquatic animal disease response in Queensland and to date 112 production ponds on five infected premises have been treated with more than 2.8 million litres of chlorine. More than 50,000 tests for white spot disease have been completed on crustacean samples collected from the region and this figure will continue to rise as surveillance is expanded.

Bird mitigation

Bird mitigation activities will decrease over the coming weeks as treatment work is completed and the risk of disease spread through bird movement decreases.

With treatment finished on the first four infected premises, bird mitigation has ceased surrounding those properties. Additionally, the use of bird mitigation techniques such as gas guns will now be limited to 6:00am-6:00pm daily.

Community drop-in sessions

Two community information drop-in sessions are being held this week, with fishers and residents invited to attend. Staff will be available to discuss the emergency response at the below locations:

Thursday 19 January 2017
7am-11am

Skinners Road boat ramp, Carbrook Friday 20 January 2017
7am-11am

Cabbage Tree Point Road boat ramp, Steiglitz

The aquaculture farms in question pump water in from the logan. If the disease was present in the "wild", various "micro" organisms can carry it including copepods and alike, very easy to be carried from the river into the farm where it would spread extremely quickly. The disease was confirmed in the wild population hence the shutdown of movement and harvesting of Crustacea in the Albert/logan system.
 
it could potentially have been in the river for year/s before it made it into the farms as well.
 
the other options are possible, however less likely than contaminated prawns being introduced into the river.

Given the WSD was found in aquaculture ponds and not the Logan, it beggars belief that recreational fishers were the cause.
As far as I'm aware, the aquaculture ponds in questions are not open to fishing by the general public.
Contaminated food used by the farmers is a far more likely scenario.

Is it just me or do you get the feeling the government is laying a path to BLAME recreational fishers for this mess ........ I'm sure the Greenies will/are.

Well there's a revelation... As if we didn't all know that already.

Taken from FW email newsletter 16 -1 -17
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources continues to work collaboratively with the Queensland Government to determine the origin of the outbreak of white spot disease in prawn farms in south-east Queensland.
Deputy Secretary Lyn O’Connell said: “The department continues to investigate how this outbreak of white spot disease has occurred, but no definite link has been determined at this point.”
“We are still looking at a number of pathways that may have resulted in the white spot disease incursion in Queensland, including imported feed or probiotics, contaminated equipment, or even discarded uncooked prawns—or bits of prawns—that were purchased to eat.
“In the course of our investigations, the department did come across recreational fishers using imported prawns labelled for human consumption for bait in the Logan River,” said O’Connell.
“Subsequent testing of the product did return positive results for the virus.
“What this tells us is that fishers using infected imported prawns for bait is one possible pathway for this disease to get into our river system and onto prawn farms—and is why prawns imported for human consumption should never be used for bait.”

 

Hard to know who to believe this was on a yank website
http://www.fishtruth.net/
Yet Matt Campbell who is a senior researcher with DAF at their Dutton park complex made the following statement on another forum,
"As far as I know there have not been positive tests on any crab. There is a lot of bullshit being thrown about by people with no idea what they're talking about! "
There is a very real danger that the disease has already infected the wild prawn population in the Logan as the drain from one of the farms always used to be a good spot for tigers when the farm was releasing water.
We really need to see some scientific results of tests carried out and not some politicians self ego boosting ramble.
Cheers
Ray
 

Seems to be a lot of so called experts offering different opinions. Saw matt Campbell saying no evidence of white spot ever being in crabs on another forum. DR Ben Diggles also had something to say hard to know who to believe but better being prudent.
Cheers
Ray

Yep, government was first warned in 2009. The department decided to take the risk. Too worried about how doomed cattle were going to die.
 

Green prawn imports banned following white spot disease outbreak
The importation of green prawns into Australia will be suspended following an outbreak of white spot disease in Queensland, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has announced.
Full story: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-06/green-prawn-imports-banned-white-spot-outbreak/8165754

Prawn industry in crisis mode as white spot disease spreads
 
The devastating prawn virus white spot disease (WSD) has spread to another Queensland farm, with claims the outbreak is affecting the livelihoods of more than 100 families.
There are now four farmers with white spot incursions, spread across five properties on the Logan River, between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Australian Prawn Farmers Association executive officer Helen Jenkins said losing four farms was a huge blow to the industry, with the combined value of the businesses about $25 million.
 
Full story….  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-04/prawn-virus-white-spot-disease-spreads-queensland/8161410?WT.ac=localnews_brisbane

Yep, government was warned that importing raw prawns was a recipe for disaster.
Although the prawns are imported for human consumption and cooking kill the virus, there were no garrantees that raw prawn products would not end up in the wild.
Australia's bio-security once again put at risk for the sake of commercial interest.

good old Baaahrnaby, locking the gate after the horse has bolted as usual......

taken from Dept Agriculture and Fisheries email newsletter
 
Biosecurity Queensland Update
White spot disease update
5 January 2016

Current situation

Five infected premises in the Logan River area are continuing to undergo eradication activities for white spot disease.  At-risk premises in the area are also under heightened surveillance.

Following confirmation of the fifth infected premises last week, chlorine treatment of ponds is underway supported by early harvest to reduce biomass. All harvested prawns will be heat treated to destroy the virus. Bird control has been increased on at-risk premises to mitigate disease spread risk.

Surveillance in wild populations is also being enhanced to align with the new infected premises, epidemiological investigations and risk.

Reporting white spot disease online


People who suspect white spot disease should contact Biosecurity Queensland immediately. The following information will be required:
Type of crustacean seen, caught or purchased with signs of white spot disease Date the suspect crustacean was seen, caught or purchased Where the suspect crustacean was seen, caught or purchased Signs of white spot disease observed
Where possible take a photo of the suspect crustacean and refrigerate or freeze a sample as we may require it for further inspection. Please complete the following steps to prepare the sample:
Keep all packaging with any bought purchase. Separate out different species or product purchased from different stores. Put it into plastic bags. All samples should be chilled immediately after bagging—storing samples in the fridge/freezer will not affect other food items. Freeze samples if they are not scheduled for collection within 48 hours. Using soapy water to clean hands and equipment will remove any virus that causes white spot disease if present.

Green prawn imports banned following white spot disease outbreak
The importation of green prawns into Australia will be suspended following an outbreak of white spot disease in Queensland, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has announced.
Full story: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-06/green-prawn-imports-banned-white-spot-outbreak/8165754

When I was a kid we spent a lot of time on the broadwater. One afternoon I swam the stern anchor into the beach and dragged it up. There was some old fishing line on it and as a keen fishing grom I started to pull it in hoping for a sinker or perhaps some tackle I could use. It took ages as there was a lot of line out. 
After a few minutes I noticed some tension on the line and soon realised I was fighting a fish. I pulled in a solid bream! Probably the best I had ever caught at that stage. 
I figure that someone had set a line and perhaps forgotten to tighten the drag or close the bail arm. and I got a sinker haha

taken from Dept Agriculture and Fisheries email newsletter
 
Biosecurity Queensland Update
White spot disease update
28 December 2016
Current situation
Disease control activities are continuing on the four infected premises in the Logan River area over the Christmas and New Year period.

Chlorine treatment has been completed in all production ponds and is almost complete in surrounding water movement channels. Work will shortly commence on disposal and decontamination activities associated with the treated ponds and associated material, including dead prawns.

Surveillance and diagnostic testing continues on at-risk premises and in nearby waterways. All laboratories, including the Queensland Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory, the Elizabeth MacArthur Agricultural Institute (NSW) and the Australian Animal Health Laboratory will continue to process samples through the Christmas and New Year period.

A community awareness campaign is underway informing users of the Logan and Albert Rivers of the movement restrictions in place for crustaceans and marine worms. The campaign targets local fishers through a combination of radio, newspaper and social media advertising and signage at 15 boat ramps and other popular fishing spots. Departmental staff are on the ground talking to community members and information packs have been provided to local bait and fishing stores and local councils.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol is monitoring users of the Logan and Albert Rivers to ensure they adhere to the restrictions in place.

taken from Dept Agriculture and Fisheries email newsletter
 
Biosecurity Queensland Update
 
White spot disease update
23 December 2016
Wild caught crustacean surveillance
Following the detection of the virus that causes white spot disease (WSD) in a small number of prawns in the Logan River, there have been no other positive detections from the 1950 prawn and 142 crabs tested from natural waterways in the region. The samples that tested positive were five greasy back prawns (Metapenaeus ensis) and one glass shrimp.

More than 3000 surveillance samples from wild populations are currently being tested by the NSW state veterinary diagnostic laboratory with these results expected soon.

Based on the surveillance data available to date, there is currently no reason to believe that the virus that causes white spot disease has established in wild crustacean populations. 

Further surveillance is planned for the Logan River, Moreton Bay, Brisbane River and Pine River to determine if the virus has established in wild crustacean populations.
Farmed prawn surveillance
Approximately 4500 samples have been tested from the infected premises and nearby premises since WSD was detected. The results have confirmed the presence of WSD on four premises. Extensive surveillance will continue over the coming months to provide early detection of the virus that causes white spot disease to allow rapid containment and control.
Bait surveillance
Tracing has identified a number of businesses that received bait prawns from known commercial harvesters operating on the Logan River. The risk bait prawns, mostly greasy back (Metapenaeus ensis), have either been removed from sale, cooked or retained for testing.

Further analysis of the bait samples that have been collected, together with ongoing prawn and crab samples being collected in the Logan River, southern Moreton Bay, Brisbane and Pine Rivers will help determine if  the virus is established in wild populations.

Based on the test results available to date there is currently no reason to believe that the virus that causes WSD has established in the local bait prawn population.
Description

WSD is a viral infection that affects crustaceans. Australia has previously been WSD free and this is the first confirmed case we have had in an aquaculture setting.

Prawns with WSD may have a loose shell with numerous white spots (0.5-2.0 mm in diameter) on the inside surface of the shell and a pink to red discolouration.


Signs to look for include:
unusual mortality prawns coming to the edge or water surface of the pond prawns demonstrating unusual swimming patterns reduced feeding and failure to thrive If you suspect a disease on your property you must report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

taken from Dept Agriculture and Fisheries email newsletter
 
Biosecurity Queensland Update
 White spot disease update
21 December 2016
Current situation
Biosecurity Queensland has completed destruction activities in all production ponds on all of the infected premises in the Logan River area.

In accordance with the nationally-agreed emergency animal disease response plan, all ponds on infected premises must be destocked. The priority is to protect the immediate environment and the broader industry from any potential source of infection.

Disposal and decontamination planning is well advanced for the management of the treated ponds and associated material, including dead prawns.

Biosecurity Queensland continues tracing investigations of materials on and off the infected premises to determine the source of the virus and its potential geographical spread.  At this stage, it is not known how the virus came to be present on the aquaculture premises or if the virus is established in wild populations. Comprehensive surveillance activities are supporting this important area of work, including samples from the wild environment in southern Moreton Bay, the Logan, and Brisbane and Pine rivers.

Given the significant number of samples entering the laboratory system, Queensland has made arrangements with the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute in New South Wales to test wild population samples.  All results will be returned to Biosecurity Queensland for analysis. Samples also continue to be tested at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory and Queensland’s Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory.
Description
WSD is a viral infection that affects crustaceans. Australia has previously been WSD free and this is the first confirmed case we have had in an aquaculture setting.

Prawns with WSD may have a loose shell with numerous white spots (0.5-2.0 mm in diameter) on the inside surface of the shell and a pink to red discolouration.



Signs to look for include:
unusual mortality prawns coming to the edge or water surface of the pond prawns demonstrating unusual swimming patterns reduced feeding and failure to thrive If you suspect a disease on your property you must report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
 

Biosecurity Queensland
White spot disease - Industry update
13 December 2016

Current disease control activities

Biosecurity Queensland has completed decontamination and destocking on one of the three confirmed infected properties. Work continues on the second and third property and is expected to be completed this week.

To date approximately 700,000 litres of chlorine have been used to decontaminate 34 ponds as well as other water channels and settlement ponds.

Surveillance and sampling is continuing on the other five prawn farms in the vicinity as well as in the Logan and Albert rivers.

Further testing of samples collected from the Logan River has returned negative results. More results are expected in the coming days.

Investigations into the source of the infection are continuing, including testing locally supplied bait, and tracing movement of stock and equipment between properties.
Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Bill Byrne met on Sunday with local prawn farmers impacted by the recent white spot disease outbreak. Minister Byrne visited one property that have been affected to discuss their current situation and Biosecurity Queensland’s plan going forward.

Biosecurity Queensland has now provided information packages to each infected premises owner detailing their particular situation and the likely course of action going forward.

New biosecurity emergency order

To enhance disease control measures, Biosecurity Queensland has replaced the two movement control orders that were in place with a new biosecurity emergency order. The new biosecurity emergency order imposes similar restrictions on the movement of white spot syndrome virus carriers but increases the biosecurity emergency area to include the river banks, boat ramps, car parks and inlets. The order also prohibits the intake of water unless a biosecurity instrument permit has been issued by Biosecurity Queensland.

Additionally, the following items are prohibited from use in the biosecurity emergency area:

-       Beam trawling

-       Pots, dillies and traps for catching crabs

-       Cast nets

-       Yabby pumps

-       Implements (i.e. spades, forks) for digging for worms

People are reminded that they must not deal with a carrier of white spot syndrome virus, even if they are outside the biosecurity emergency area. This means that they must not keep, possess, use, distribute, dispose, buy, or supply crustaceans or other carriers of the virus if they are suspected or confirmed of having white spot syndrome virus.
 
Description
WSD is a viral infection that affects crustaceans. Australia has previously been WSD free and this is the first confirmed case we have had in an aquaculture setting.

Prawns with WSD may have a loose shell with numerous white spots (0.5-2.0 mm in diameter) on the inside surface of the shell and a pink to red discolouration.
 


Signs to look for include:
unusual mortality prawns coming to the edge or water surface of the pond prawns demonstrating unusual swimming patterns reduced feeding and failure to thrive If you suspect a disease on your property you must report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Excerpt from Biosecurity Qld
https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/animal-industries/animal-health-and-diseases/white-spot-disease-detected-in-southern-queensland
 
White spot disease description
Prawns with WSD may have a loose shell with numerous white spots (0.5-2.0 mm in diameter) on the inside surface of the shell and a pink to red discolouration.


Signs to look for include:
unusual mortality   prawns coming to the edge or water surface of the pond   prawns demonstrating unusual swimming patterns   reduced feeding and failure to thrive   If you suspect a disease on your property you must report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

A timely reminder from Dec 28  2006
 
The Queensland Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin is reminding recreational fishers not to use imported green prawns as bait over the holidays.
Recent testing by the Department has found imported green prawns sold in some Queensland supermarkets carried white spot sydrome virus and taura syndrome virus.
Mr Mulherin says while the prawn diseases are not harmful to humans, they do have the potential to spread to local seafood.
" Only use Australian prawns for bait. I'd like to remind recreational fishers not to use imported green prawns for bait, these green prawns could carry the white spot syndrome virus or the taura syndrome virus” he said.
"These viruses are harmless to humans but are a significant threat to our wild and farmed prawn industries."