Biosecurity plan and translocation policy guidelines

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

Guidelines are available to help industry and governments effectively manage these risks. This includes guidelines for:

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

National biosecurity plan guidelines and templates

The development of generic and sector or system-specific biosecurity plan guidelines and templates was identified as a national industry-government priority and completed as a priority activity under AQUAPLAN 2014-2019.

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

Generic guidelines and template

These generic guidelines and templates are not targeted at a specific aquaculture sector and can be adapted to a specific sector or aquaculture production system.

Sector and system specific biosecurity plan guidelines and templates

These guidelines and resources are targeted towards specific Australian aquaculture sectors or production systems.

The National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for Australian Prawn Farms were developed by the Australian Prawn Farmers Association. If you have any questions about the guidelines or would like a copy of the final draft prawn plan, please contact the Australian Prawn Farmers Association.

Translocation policy guidelines

National translocation policy guidelines are available for:

  • the translocation of live aquatic animals
  • the translocation of domestic bait and berley.

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, relevant laws and regulations should be considered.

Download

National policy guidelines for the translocation of live aquatic animals (PDF 1.68 MB)
National policy guidelines for the translocation of live aquatic animals (DOCX 3.4 MB)

If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.

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.

Download

National Policy Guidelines for Translocation of Domestic Bait and Berley (PDF 1.36 MB)
National Policy Guidelines for Translocation of Domestic Bait and Berley (DOCX 372 KB)

If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.

For further information contact Aquatic Pest and Health Policy at aah@aff.gov.au

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