White spot decontamination enters fnal stage

Northern NSW prawn farms have entered the fnal stage of white spot decontamination as part the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) response to eradicate white spot from the three affected farms.

NSW Chief Veterinary Offcer, Jo Coombe, said the decontamination and water discharge process is complete at the three Clarence River prawn farms where white spot was detected in early 2023.

“Consumers can continue to safely purchase and enjoy Clarence River prawns and seafood from local seafood suppliers,” Dr Coombe said.

“NSW DPI appreciates the support of affected producers to contain and eradicate white spot on their farms, as we work with industry to implement appropriate biosecurity measures to minimise risk of further spread.

“Now on-farm decontamination activities are fnished, prawn farm ponds will be left empty to fallow for 40 days.”

Dr Coombe said the safe discharge of treated standards were met before, during and after the discharge.

“NSW EPA offcers monitored the surrounding environment and waterways, measuring water quality during discharge into the estuary.

“The treated water discharged from the farms met all the EPA’s water quality criteria for release into the environment and confrmed the water being discharged was safe for people, aquatic life and livestock.”

NSW DPI is conducting ongoing testing and surveillance of prawns and other decapod crustaceans from the local area.

White spot affects crustaceans and can cause mortalities in farmed prawns. It does not affect other species. water from each of the properties was a key step in the eradication process.

NSW prawns and seafood remain safe to consume.

White spot in crustaceans poses no threat to human health and safety. More information about white spot is available on the NSW DPI website.

“NSW DPI worked closely with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) which set strict provisions for the discharge of water to ensure there was no impact on the environment or river users,” she said.

“Authorised offcers regularly tested water quality and ensured strict environmental protection

Fisheries compliance operation underway for school holidays

Fisheries Offcers across the state will be joining forces for NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) newly launched Operation Alpha Delta, commencing this October long weekend on the NSW South Coast.

NSW DPI Deputy Director General Sean Sloan said the mission of Operation Alpha Delta is to detect, disrupt and report illegal, unreported and unregulated fshing activity on the NSW south coast.

“Over the last few years, we have seen a dramatic increase in diving for lobsters and Abalone on the South Coast, with more and more participants emerging each year,” Mr Sloan said.

“This has also coincided with an increase in land-based rock fshing and intertidal collecting.

“While the majority of recreational anglers support recreational bag and size limits, there are those who intentionally set out to break the rules and whose actions impact heavily on the sustainability of our fsheries resources.

“Operation Alpha Delta objectives are to conduct high profle and overt operations to reduce the risk to the fsheries resource through increasing awareness and fostering compliant behaviour through education and engagement. It also aims to reduce inadvertent, opportunistic, and intentional offending through compliance monitoring and enforcing fsheries laws.

“Fisheries Offcers will target from Shoalhaven in the North down to the Victorian border in the South. In addition, Fisheries Offcers will be out across the state this spring and summer ensuring fshers are following the rules to help safeguard our fsh stocks for current and future generations.”

Two of the fve keystone Marine

Parks in the NSW Marine Estate, Jervis Bay Marine Park and Batemans Marine Park will also be targeted.

Mr Sloan said daily bag and possession limits have been established to ensure that recreational fshers can share the resource and lawfully take a reasonable number of each species.

Minimum size limits are prescribed for some species to minimise the risk to fsh stocks by ensuring enough adult fsh to maintain sustainable populations. Removing fsh from the fsheries resource before they have a chance to breed can detrimentally affect the sustainability of fsh stocks for future generations.

“This summer if you are out and about and enjoying the opportunity to fsh or collect on our beautiful South Coast of NSW, please make sure you know your fsh bag and size limits, protected species and our Marine Park Sanctuary Zones where fshing is prohibited and don’t forget to get a fshing license.”

The public is encouraged to report illegal or suspect illegal fshing activity to the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536 or report it online via the form at: https://fal. cn/3gJWh