Movement restrictions for white spot disease

Under Queensland legislation, movement restrictions are in place to reduce the risk of spreading the virus that causes white spot disease (WSD).

Penalties apply for non-compliance.

Restricted areas

Queensland is divided into zones to manage WSD.

The white spot biosecurity zone includes all of Queensland. Within this zone, different rules apply depending on whether you are in either:

  • the movement regulated area
    or
  • Biosecurity Area 1.

Movement regulated area

The movement regulated area is where movement restrictions are in place to prevent the spread of WSD.

This area includes:

  • the coastline from Caloundra to the New South Wales border
  • a line 100m offshore from Bribie Island, Moreton Island and Stradbroke Island
  • inland areas extending west to Ipswich.

Use the Biosecurity Area 1 map to confirm the boundaries of the movement regulated area.

Biosecurity Area 1 (exclusion areas)

Most of Queensland is part of Biosecurity Area 1, where movement restrictions do not apply.

View the Notice of Establishment of Biosecurity Areas for details.

Animals under movement restrictions

You must not move the following live animals out of the movement regulated area:

  • prawns
  • yabbies
  • marine worms
  • other crustaceans (except those listed under exempt species).

Exceptions

You can move these animals out of the movement regulated area in specific situations:

  • They are cooked. Cooking destroys the virus, but freezing does not.
  • You have a compliance agreement. This agreement includes specific requirements, such as using sealed containers for transport.
  • They are in transit. Animals can pass through the movement regulated area if they are being moved between 2 locations outside it. They must remain in a sealed container with the seal unbroken during transit.
  • You have a biosecurity instrument permit.

Exempt species

These live crustaceans are exempt from movement restrictions and can be moved out of the movement regulated area:

  • spanner crabs
  • three-spotted crabs
  • blue swimmer crabs
  • mud crabs
  • red champagne lobsters
  • slipper lobsters
  • tropical rocklobsters
  • red claws
  • bugs.

Bait rules

You must not take any bait (prawns, yabbies or worms) out of the movement regulated area unless it is cooked. This includes bait that was brought into the area from elsewhere.

Choose bait safely and responsibly to avoid spreading disease.

Decontamination

If you are leaving the movement regulated area, you must decontaminate all vessels and fishing equipment to help prevent the spread of WSD.

Report suspected cases

Under Queensland legislation, if you suspect WSD in any crustacean you must either: