Import of live sturgeon for aquaculture

The department has released a Notice of Intention to conduct a Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis (BIRA) under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and the Biosecurity Regulation 2016, in relation to the importation of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) and beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) for aquaculture purposes.

Steps to complete this risk analysis

When we do a risk analysis, we:

• review the science on pests and diseases of concern, release an Issues Paper, and seek stakeholder feedback on hazards
• assess and analyse biosecurity risks
• develop proposed risk management measures
• consult stakeholders on the draft report and then review comments
• publish a final report
• develop import conditions
• publish import conditions in our Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON).

About this risk analysis

At the request of industry stakeholders, we are assessing the biosecurity risks associated with the import of live sturgeon for aquaculture focusing on beluga (Huso huso) and Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii).

Australia does not currently permit the import of any live sturgeon for commercial purposes. As risk management measures have not been established for live sturgeon, we are conducting this assessment as a Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis under the Biosecurity Act 2015.

Learn more about how the department conducts a Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis.

We have prepared an Issues Paper that provides background information on the proposal to import live sturgeon to Australia, an overview of the risk analysis process, and a preliminary hazard identification.

Make a submission

At this early stage of the risk analysis, we are seeking your feedback on the Issues Paper for the import of live sturgeon for aquaculture into Australia.

You are invited to:

• read the Notice of Intention to commence a Sturgeon BIRA
• read the Issues Paper
• submit your feedback through Have Your Say

Submissions should be received by 22 August 2022.

Have Your Say

Next steps

We will carefully consider your comments in preparing the draft report. This will:

• identify potential biosecurity risks
• propose appropriate risk management measures required to reduce risk to appropriate level of protection (ALOP), if possible.

We will seek your feedback on the draft report when it is released.

Learn more about why we carry out risk analyses and our international obligations.

Contact us

For more information about this risk analysis email aquaticbiosecurity@awe.gov.au

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