THE dreaded white spot disease has again been detected in two South East Queensland prawn farms, more than three years after it was first appeared in the region.
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Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner samples from two prawn farms on the Logan River had returned positive test results, after the disease was initially detected in mangrove swimming crabs during routine testing in Moreton Bay.
The tests were confirmed by the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Victoria. A third farm tested for the disease was cleared.
White spot affects crustaceans, prawns and crabs, but it is not harmful to human health and seafood.
Mr Furner said Biosecurity Queensland representatives would meet with members of the Aquatic Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease to discuss the new detections and ongoing management options for white spot.
Biosecurity Queensland will review all prawn farms to ensure future on-farm biosecurity management is appropriate in dealing with this new detection, Mr Furner said.
This is the second year back in production for three prawn farms but the first time white spot has been detected again on-farm.
Australian Prawn Farmers Association executive officer Kim Hooper said not the news the industry wanted, but it was not like 2016-17.
"We have had nearly two years without a detection of white spot, it was not detected in a new area or outside the containment area, it has not been found on any other Australian prawn farm and the rest of our industry continues to operate," Ms Hooper said.
"These points are really important and keeps our resolve to manage this crustacean issue.
Ms Hooper said APFA continued to work closely with state and federal authorities to reduce the risk of white spot entering Australia, including improved border security and educational programs around the risk of using imported prawns as bait.
"Remember this is a crustacean issue and has no implication on human health at all," Ms Hooper said.
"Farmed prawns are a quality Australian food source and our farms support regional communities through jobs and investing in local economies.
"As we have seen with COVID-19, food and farming is an essential service and we ask Australians, especially at this difficult time, to rally around not just our farmers, but all farmers and support locally grown and sourced produce."
Opposition Shadow Minister Tony Perrett said the LNP had warned the Palaszczuk government in July, 2018 that its planned decrease in biosecurity funding to contain and monitor white spot disease was premature and misguided.
"Unfortunately, this cost cutting and lack of foresight when it comes to biosecurity in Queensland has become all too typical," Mr Perrett said.
"Just like the floundering fire ant eradication program and the march south of the fall army worm, Labor's neglect of Queensland's biosecurity is having real-life impacts and costing jobs."
White spot movement restrictions remain in place for raw prawns, yabbies and marine worms from Caloundra to the NSW border and west to Ipswich.
