Moving live aquatic animals

When moving aquatic animals within Queensland or from interstate, there are a number of policies and protocols that must be followed to ensure effective and safe translocation of species.

Policies for moving aquatic animals

You are legally obligated to follow these policies to minimise disease and food safety risks when moving aquatic animals.

Relaying of oysters

Relaying is the movement of shellfish from one oyster area to another for the purposes of natural cleansing (depuration). The policy applies to holders of aquaculture licences for oysters in Queensland.

The policy outlines management control measures such as:

• when and where relaying can take place
• minimum periods for relaying oysters before they can be sold for human consumption.

Read the policy for the relaying of oysters (PDF, 94KB).

Transshipment of oysters

If you are moving oyster seed stock from interstate into Queensland waters, you should read this policy to make sure you meet Fisheries Queensland's requirements.

The policy outlines management measures for the transshipment of oysters, including:

• notifying Fisheries Queensland when stock is arriving in Queensland
• keeping each oyster consignment separate and identifiable
• complying with minimum periods for holding oysters from interstate before they can be sold for human consumption.

Read the policy for the transshipment of oysters (PDF, 109KB).

Protocols for moving live aquatic animals

You need to be aware of the relevant protocols for the movement of aquatic animals within Queensland and from interstate. These protocols outline management measures, legislation and health certifications required to minimise disease risks associated with translocation.

Read the protocol that relates to the translocation of live:

• prawns (PDF, 135KB)
• barramundi (PDF, 205KB)
• bivalve molluscs (PDF, 3.4MB)
• marine crustaceans (PDF, 136KB)
• eels (PDF, 123KB)
• freshwater crayfish and prawns (PDF, 123KB)
• freshwater native finfish (other than barramundi and eels) (PDF, 172KB)
• health protocol for movement of aquatic animals for aquaculture in Queensland (PDF, 335KB).

Application form for moving aquatic animals

Approval is required for the above aquaculture protocols.

Download the application form (PDF, 168KB) that allows translocation of live aquatic animals into and within Queensland.

Also consider...

• Read the policy relating to high risk aquaculture activities (PDF, 590KB), such as management arrangements for exotic fish.
• Find out about health management technical guidelines for aquaculture (PDF, 60KB).