Aquatic Biosecurity, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute
- Introduced pests and diseases pose environmental, social and economic threats through damaging the natural balance of aquatic flora and fauna.
- The Aquatic Biosecurity team deals with issues of disease in both wild and aquacultured populations, fish kills, and other factors which may impact on fish health, such as toxic algae outbreaks. Disease threats are managed by implementing operational policies based on assessment of risk.
- Fish health management is a critical issue in the aquaculture industry, as a disease outbreak can devastate farmed populations and severely impact the short-term profitability or even long term viability of aquaculture businesses. Those who keep ornamental fish for a hobby also frequently confront disease issues, and need to be scrupulous in managing the health of their fish and preventing any diseases that do occur from spreading to other aquaria or even the wild through transfer of sick fish or contaminated water and equipment. Outbreaks of disease also occur in the wild, where they can cause unsightly and unhealthy fish kills or even endanger populations of certain native species.
- Introduced species of fish, invertebrates and plans can become established pests which compete with natives for food and habitat. Translocation vectors to be managed include shipping, aquarium releases, aquaculture shipments, and deliberate stockings.
- Data on distribution and population dynamics is collected to help manage aquatic pests. A variety of surveys and research projects are underway for introduced marine and freshwater pests in NSW.