A range of resources, including guidelines and policies relating to aquatic animal health management, are available for download below. These resources have been produced by or for the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to address known or emerging needs in aquatic animal health preparedness, response and management. Most policies are developed and endorsed nationally by relevant national committees responsible for aquatic animal health, in consultation with industry where appropriate.
National Management of Aquatic Animal Diseases
AQUAPLAN: Australia’s National Strategic Plan for Aquatic Animal Health
AQUAPLAN 2014—2019 is a comprehensive strategy developed by industry and government that outlines objectives and priorities to build and enhance Australia’s aquatic animal health management capacity. Previous AQUAPLANs and the review of AQUAPLAN 1998—2003 and AQUAPLAN 2005—010 are also available below.
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
AQUAPLAN 2014-2019 PDF |
32 | 4 MB |
| AQUAPLAN 2005-2010 PDF |
54 | 4 MB |
| AQUAPLAN 1998-2003 PDF |
36 | 1.6 MB |
| Review of AQUAPLAN 1998-2003 PDF |
44 | 1 MB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.
Disease Watch: Aquatic Animal Health Awareness
The Disease Watch section of this website is an initiative of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. It provides information and awareness resources on aquatic animal disease management in Australia including videos, information packages and government contact information. Disease Watch materials are intended for aquatic animal health professionals and people who have an interest in aquatic animal health.
Veterinary Chemical Product Use in Aquaculture
Veterinary chemical products are used to treat, cure, prevent or alleviate animal diseases or conditions by administration or application of that product to an animal(s) or its environment. This guidance brochure for industry provides information on the appropriate use of aquatic veterinary chemical products in aquaculture, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority assessment criteria, product use, prescription products and off-label use.
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Chemical Product Use in Aquaculture PDF |
2 | 227 KB |
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National Policy Guidelines for the Translocation of Live Aquatic Animals
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, 2020
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.
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| National policy guidelines for the translocation of live aquatic animals PDF |
39 | 1.68 MB |
National policy guidelines for the translocation of live aquatic animals DOCX |
39 | 3.45 MB |
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National Policy Guidelines for Translocation of Domestic Bait and Berley
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, 2015
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 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 under ‘what you can do to protect Australia’s aquatic animal health’.
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| National Policy Guidelines for Translocation of Domestic Bait and Berley PDF |
31 | 1.36 MB |
| National Policy Guidelines for Translocation of Domestic Bait and Berley DOCX |
31 | 372 KB |
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Zoning Policy Guidelines
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, August 2000
Zoning policy guidelines explain the generic principles of zoning based on pathogen distribution, the movement principles between zones and international relevance of national zoning. The guidelines were jointly developed by the private sector and the Australian and state and territory governments.
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Policy Guidelines PDF |
31 | 154 KB |
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Emergency Preparedness and Response
Aquaculture Farm Biosecurity Plan: generic guidelines and template
Sub-Committee on Aquatic Animal Health, 2016.
The Aquaculture Farm Biosecurity Plan: generic guidelines and template were developed as part of Activity 1.1 of AQUAPLAN 2014—2019. The document was developed by a Sub-Committee on Aquatic Animal Health (SCAAH) writing group who drew on multiple sources of information, including the Farm Biosecurity series of terrestrial animal biosecurity plans published by Animal Health Australia. The document was endorsed by the then National Aquatic Animal Health Industry Reference Group.
The document aims to guide the development of biosecurity plans for application at the farm level. It has been developed as a generic document that is not targeted at a specific aquaculture sector. This document can be adapted for the purposes of specific aquaculture sectors or specific production systems.
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| Aquaculture Farm Biosecurity Plan - generic guidelines and template PDF |
23 | 8.5 MB |
| Aquaculture Farm Biosecurity Plan - generic guidelines and template DOCX |
38 | 7.5 MB |
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National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for specific aquaculture sectors
Through Activity 1.1 of AQUAPLAN 2014—2019, National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines were developed for specific aquaculture industry sectors that expressed interest. These guidelines and templates set out the best practice biosecurity planning tailored to the specific sector. Sector-level guidance facilitates a nationally consistent approach to biosecurity planning and helps meet common levels of biosecurity risk management.
National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for the Land Based Abalone Industry
Spark et al., 2018. (FRDC project 2016-245)
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for the Land Based Abalone Industry PDF |
64 | 2.6 MB |
| National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for the Land Based Abalone Industry DOCX |
65 | 1.2 MB |
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National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for Australian Barramundi Farms
Landos et al., 2019. (FRDC project 2016-147)
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for Australian Barramundi Farms PDF |
56 | 2 MB |
| National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for Australian Barramundi Farms DOCX |
56 | 2.5 MB |
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.
National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for Australian Oyster Hatcheries
Spark et al., 2018. (FRDC project 2016-245)
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for Australian Oyster Hatcheries PDF |
66 | 3.9 MB |
| National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for Australian Oyster Hatcheries DOCX |
65 | 1.0 MB |
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National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for Australian Prawn Farms
The Australian Prawn Farmers Association has developed a national biosecurity plan guideline and template for the Australian prawn farming industry. This industry led project was funded by the Department of Agriculture through the Stronger Biosecurity and Quarantine Initiative.
The final draft (2019) of the National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for Australian Prawn Farms is available on request. If you would like a copy of the final draft prawn plan please contact the Aquatic Pest and Health Policy section.
AQUAVETPLAN
AQUAVETPLAN is the Australian Aquatic Veterinary Emergency Plan. It is a manual that outlines Australia’s approach to national disease preparedness and proposes the technical response and control strategies to be activated in a national aquatic animal disease emergency.
Australia’s National List of Reportable Diseases of Aquatic Animals
Australia’s National List of Reportable Diseases of Aquatic Animals is used to define and meet Australia’s international reporting obligations, as well as provide a framework for national reporting for endemic diseases of concern. States and territories regularly report to the Australian Government on their status for nationally listed diseases. Provisions also allow for reporting new or emerging aquatic animal disease and the national communication of these diseases. Updates to diseases on the National List are considered annually.
Aquatic Animal Diseases Significant to Australia: Identification Field Guide
The Identification Field Guide aims to assist in the early recognition of diseases with potential to affect Australian aquatic animal industries and the environment. The field guide contains information on field recognition, and gross and microscopic signs of aquatic animal diseases included on Australia’s National List of Reportable Diseases of Aquatic Animals.
Standard Diagnostic Techniques
Australian and New Zealand Standard Diagnostic Procedures (ANZSDPs) are used to facilitate the standardisation of diagnostic test methodology and the interpretation of results.
Fish Kills Protocol
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, 2007
The National Investigation and Reporting Protocol for Fish Kills was developed to provide a consistent national approach, and minimum standards, for the investigation and reporting of fish kill incidents. Thorough investigation of fish kills—unusual mortality events in non-mammalian aquatic animals—can provide early warning of exotic or emerging diseases that could threaten Australia’s aquatic ecosystems, fisheries resources or aquaculture industries. Many fish kills are related to environmental issues, so investigation protocols are required to differentiate disease from environmental problems. If you see anything unusual, it can be reported to the national Disease Watch hotline on 1800 675 888.
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| Fish Kills Protocol PDF |
16 | 551 KB |
| Fish Kill Incident Log Form PDF |
15 | 90 KB |
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Most Australian States and Territories have individual requirements for reporting fish kills. Protocols for reporting are listed on government websites, with links and contact numbers for reporting fish kills available below.
- QLD Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, or call 1300 130 372
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, or call the NSW Fishers Watch Hotline on 1800 043 536
- VIC Environmental Protection Agency, or call 1300 372 842
- TAS Environmental Protection Agency, or call 1800 005 171
- SA Department of Primary Industries and Regions, or call FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522
- WA Department of Fisheries, or call FISHWATCH on 1800 815 507
- NT Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries, or call 0413 381 094
Disease Surveillance Guidelines
National Aquatic Animal Health Technical Working Group, 2004
Aquatic animals are produced in a variety of systems. Surveillance programs need to be tailored to individual production systems, building on basic surveillance principles. These guidelines recommend elements to be considered when designing and implementing an appropriate surveillance system. The national surveillance guidelines are designed for domestic situations and are consistent with OIE standards as described in the OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code.
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| Disease Surveillance Guidelines PDF |
37 | 303 KB |
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