Raw prawn imports banned in Australia due to disease
Aussie anglers told not to use imported green prawns for bait due to white spot diseaseDeputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has announced a ban on the importation of green prawns into Australia following the recent detection and outbreak of white spot disease at four farms on the Logan River in SE Queensland.
Australia was previously immune from the crippling crustacean disease, but it is thought white spot has arrived here in imported green prawns that could be used for bait.
Some $50m of green prawns are imported into Australia annually, Mr Joyce said, adding that he had been told white spot was detected on imported green prawns sold here for human consumption.
The risk of importing the disease, which is known to cripple prawn farms and devastate wild prawn and crustacean stocks, has long been something professional fishing lobby groups have warned about.
The advice for anglers is, when it comes to using imported seafood for bait, don't come the raw prawn...
BAIT CONCERNS
While it looks like the horse has already bolted, given that white spot disease has arrived here from Asia, the good news is that the official update on the Queensland Outbreak page shows no sign of the scourge spreading into wild prawn stocks.
But Mr Joyce said he was worried imported green prawns would be used as bait.
The Federal Department of Agriculture found 73 imported consignments of raw prawns had tested positive for white spot between May and December 2016 and were sent back or destroyed, the ABC reports.
FISHING ADVICE
This is a timely reminder to all recreational fishers that you should never use imported green prawn meat intended for human consumption as bait, and to inspect your bait for any signs of the disease prior to use.
If you see any signs of white spot disease as described on the official Outbreak Website, please contact the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 or Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
White spot disease is a highly infectious disease of crustaceans but does not pose a threat to human health or food safety.
For more information about the response to this incident, contact the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF) or visit the Outbreak website above?.
For information on movement restrictions, including a map showing Queensland's biosecurity emergency area, visit this
White Spot Disease Information Page.
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