Prevent and manage disease in aquaculture farms
Under the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), you are legally obligated to take reasonable and practical measures to minimise the risk and spread of disease.
Each part of an aquaculture production system has an impact on the health of aquatic animals. Understand the role each part plays so you can prevent and manage disease in your farm.
Putting in place good animal husbandry practices and creating a biosecurity plan will help you to respond quickly to any incident of disease.
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.
- Last reviewed: 13 Feb 2024
- Last updated: 16 Feb 2024