Saltwater Trust Allocation

2006/07 $16,200

2007/08 $17,010

2008/09 $17,861

Aim

To understand the causes and management of nodavirus outbreaks in Australia bass.

Background

Nodaviruses are known to cause systemic infections in many species of wild and farmed marine fish overseas and in some areas of Australia. Transmission of nodavirus infection is known to occur vertically (broodstock to egg) and horizontally (including fish to fish, water to fish, and food to fish). Prior to 2004, nodavirus infection of fish had not been reported in NSW, however until 2005 no survey work of wild populations had been conducted. It is unknown if nodaviruses are endemic to native fish populations in NSW.

The cause and epidemiology of the 2004 nodavirus outbreak is still poorly understood. NSW DPI seeks to understand the cause of the outbreak so that bass breeding can continue and bass stocking of impoundments can be managed to minimise the risk of spreading infection.