Prevent and manage disease in aquaculture farms

Create a biosecurity plan

All aquaculture farms should have a biosecurity plan in place created for that specific farm. Biosecurity plans include standard operating procedures to prevent disease and steps to manage an outbreak.

For further advice on biosecurity planning consult your industry association and aquatic veterinary specialist.

Introduce new animals

Source new aquatic animals from disease-free farms and make sure you arrange health testing and disease-free certification.

Consider isolating any new animals from the rest of your farm for an appropriate period of time.

You need approval to move live aquatic animals into, or within Queensland.

Using chemicals in aquaculture

You can use chemicals on your farm to:

• prevent disease
• treat animals
• control pests.

The use of agricultural chemicals and veterinary chemicals is regulated, so it's important to understand your responsibilities when using chemical products.

Make sure all employees are trained in the safe storage, use and handling of all chemicals on your farm.

Manage sick animals

Remove sick and dying animals as soon as possible to a quarantined area to treat them or dispose of them appropriately to ensure healthy animals and their environment are not contaminated.

If you suspect disease, you must report it to Biosecurity Queensland. You may also need to prepare and submit samples for laboratory testing.

Manage your records

Record keeping is an important part of biosecurity planning and crucial when tracing the source of a disease.

You must retain accurate records, including:

• all movements and disposals of aquatic animals, including their source and destination
• health testing results
• all outbreaks of sickness and any associated deaths
• growth rates, feeding rates and water quality parameters
• staff and equipment movement, including feed.

Report suspected disease

Immediate reporting helps confirm, manage and contain serious pathogens early to minimise widespread and detrimental effects on the industry and natural environment.

You should report any suspected serious disease, even if you haven't identified the disease yet.

To report:

• call Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23
• call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888
• complete the online reporting form.

After you notify Biosecurity Queensland of a suspected disease incident, we will determine an appropriate course of action (e.g., site inspection, sample collection).

If you are the holder of an aquaculture development approval or permit, you are responsible for reporting any unusual deaths as soon as possible.

Identify signs of disease

Use the field guide for aquatic animal diseases to help you identify signs of disease. If in doubt, contact Biosecurity Queensland and seek expert advice

Signs of disease in your stock may include but not limited to:

• unusual deaths
• animals coming to the edge or water surface of the pond, tank or cage
• animals demonstrating unusual swimming patterns
• reduced feeding and failure to thrive
• unusual changes in the physical appearance of the animal, such as:
• red or black colouration of prawn
• ulcers or mouldy growth on skin
• blackening of the skin
• pop eye
• erosion of fins and tails
• fouling of gills
• any symptom of white spot disease.