Aquatic animal health and biosecurity are fundamental to a viable aquaculture industry. Although there are many possible providers of information and support regarding biosecurity on farms, and many implications for disease outbreaks for farmers, farmers are generally poorly informed about these matters.
In addition, in the absence of detailed feedback, regulators are unaware of practical issues that may arise in the application of policies and procedures regarding aquatic animal health.
This workshop will provide an opportunity for exchange of information and views regarding aquatic animal biosecurity between farmers and regulators in Qld.
In so doing, it will improve the understanding of aquatic animal biosecurity and lead to improved biosecurity in the Qld aquaculture industry.
Final report
Queensland Aquaculture Industries Federation (Inc) (QAIF) represents the major land based aquaculture sectors in Australia. Members believe that as the industry grows in scale, geographical spread and develops breeding stock re distant from the original wild sector genetics, it is becoming more exposed to risks of biosecurity breakdown.
An industry workshop was held in Cairns on 5 September 2012.
It was attended by farmers, hatchery managers, university researchers, vets and senior staff from agencies responsible for managing biosecurity at a State and Federal level. Issues explored included the risks to be managed, response arrangements and on-farm biosecurity protection.