MARINE BIOSECURITY Porthole

Biosecurity in Aquaculture

10 Apr 2018 12:00 AM
New Zealand's geographical isolation and border controls have kept us relatively free from the pests and diseases that commonly affect aquaculture production elsewhere in the world. However, emerging and introduced pests and diseases remain a threat to our aquaculture and fisheries industries, as they can lead to losses in production and potential impacts on trade. Biosecurity risks can be managed through implementation of border controls and by marine users taking steps to prevent pest and disease spread. For marine farm operators this means adopting best management practices, such as good husbandry and application of on-farm biosecurity measures.
[Image: Terry Hann]

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Aquaculture NZ have collaborated on a project entitled "Identification of On-Farm Aquaculture Biosecurity Management Options". The project provides options to enhance on-farm biosecurity protection for New Zealand's commercial and non-commercial aquaculture sectors.

The project consisted of three parts:

- Identifying current aquaculture farmings practices, biosecurity management, and farmers concerns and perceptions.

- Technical assessment of potential biosecurity risks to the aquaculture industry and trout produces, including both organism and pathways risks.

- Development of a guide that farmers can use to develop best-practice biosecurity procedures.

Biosecurity handbook for farmers

The Aquaculture biosecurity handbook is a quick guide for fish farmers to reduce the risks of pests and diseases affecting their farms and the environment. The handbook has 7 steps for farmers to use in their daily operations.

The handbook covers aquaculture for:

  • food
  • fisheries enhancement (such as adding trout to the natural environment)
  • research facilities holding and moving aquatic species
  • ornamental fish, corals and aquatic plants.

Aquaculture biosecurity handbook for farmers [PDF 7.2 MB]

Additional reading:

← Back to the news