People who are fishing or trapping yabbies in Orange’s waterways are reminded to not use prawns intended for human consumption as bait, as this could potentially spread the white spot virus to new areas.
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The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is calling on the public’s help to remain vigilant this summer to ensure NSW remains free of white spot disease.
The DPI is continuing its work to minimise the spread of white spot, which was detected in prawns in south-east Queensland in December 2016.
DPI Manager Aquatic Biosecurity Juliet Corish said everyone in coastal and inland communities has a role to play in protecting our waterways.
“This summer we are calling on the community to help play a role in keeping white spot out of NSW, which is especially important when there is more activity on our waterways during the holiday season,” Ms Corish said.
“White spot is a highly contagious viral disease of crustaceans, primarily prawns, but also crabs, lobsters and freshwater crayfish, as well as marine worms can carry the virus.
“Prawns are safe to eat. White spot disease does not pose a threat to human health or food safety.
“It is crucial that people fishing, crabbing or trapping yabbies in any of our waterways do not use prawns intended for human consumption as bait, as this might spread the virus to new areas.”
Ms Corish said the DPI continues to test prawns from both estuary regions and ocean haul zones along the NSW coastline.
“We will continue to conduct testing on our prawns in NSW through ongoing surveillance and sampling,” Ms Corish said.
To keep fishing spots disease-free, don’t use prawns, or other seafood meant for human consumption, as bait.
While safe for human consumption, they have the potential to spread diseases to aquatic animals when used as bait.
People should dispose of all prawn, seafood and bait waste in the bin – not their local waterway – and keep their fishing gear, boat and trailer clean using soapy water, and allowing them to dry completely before re-use in another location.
“Biosecurity is a shared responsibility and we need everyone to remain vigilant to ensure white spot does not enter our state,” Ms Corish said.
Report suspected diseases and pest to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
