White spot disease
White spot disease (WSD) is a highly contagious viral infection that affects crustaceans – in prawn farm operations, it can result in 100% mortality within days of the first signs of the disease.
There are no human health issues associated with the virus that causes WSD.
WSD detections in Australia
WSD was detected in Australian prawn farms in the Logan River and Moreton Bay areas of southeast Queensland in late 2016 and 2017.
It was more recently detected in northern NSW farmed prawns, at an enclosed facility in 2022 and in farm ponds in 2023. Both detections were subject to response actions with an intent to eradicate on-farm. The farms were destocked and decontaminated under formal biosecurity directions.
For more information see White spot disease.
Federal import conditions
In 2023, the Australian Government reviewed the biosecurity risk of imported prawns for human consumption. The Australian Government import conditions:
- facilitate safe trade in uncooked prawns and uncooked prawn meat
- meet Australia's appropriate level of protection (ALOP).
Read more about importing uncooked prawns and other prawn products for human consumption.
SA import restrictions
To reduce the risk of WSD entering South Australia, restrictions are in place for the import of decapod crustaceans or polychaete worms that have originated from or moved through either the:
- Queensland White Spot Disease movement restriction area
- New South Wales White Spot Disease Clarence River Control Zone.
Live decapod crustaceans and polychaete worms are prohibited from entering South Australia. Restrictions apply to the import of:
- dead decapod crustaceans and polychaete worms
- untreated fittings and equipment used in the farming or commercial catch of decapod crustaceans and polychaete worms.
All import restrictions and requirements are detailed in the South Australian Government Gazette No. 83, Thursday 2 November 2023 (pp. 3697–3700).
Decapod crustaceans or polychaete worms includes but is not limited to:
- school, tiger and banana prawns
- yabbies
- pink nippers
- shrimp
- slipper lobsters (for example, Moreton Bay bugs, Balmain bugs)
- crabs (for example, mud crabs, blue swimmer crabs, spanner crabs or three-spotted crabs)
- polychaete worms (for example, bristle worms).
Bait and berley suppliers
Bait and berley retailers must not accept supplies from non-approved processors or producers in New South Wales or Queensland's designated WSD movement restriction.
Bait and berley import permit
Bait and berley import permit
Gamma irradiated prawns and polychaete worms from New South Wales and within southeast Queensland's WSD movement restriction area are permitted for use as bait in SA waters if accompanied by an import permit.
To import bait and berley, you must have a permit approved by the South Australian Chief Veterinary Officer. The import permit will stipulate the conditions for entry into the state.
To apply for a permit, contact us:
Email: pirsa.biosecuritysa@sa.gov.au
Phone: 08 8207 7900
Provide the following information:
- name
- address
- contact details (email, phone, mobile)
- product type
- product volume
- delivery address
- proposed delivery schedule.
Allow 5 working days for application processing and issuing of permit (if approved).
The maximum penalty for breaching the SA Livestock Movement Restriction Notice is $20,000.
Queensland movement conditions
Queensland movement conditions
Queensland has separate conditions for moving treated and untreated product within their state. For information, contact:
Dr Stephen Wesche – Principle Scientist (Aquatics)
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Phone: 0475 945 704
Email: wsd_rams@daf.qld.gov.au
New South Wales movement conditions
New South Wales movement conditions
New South Wales has separate conditions for moving treated and untreated product within their state. For information, contact:
Melissa Walker – Policy and Program Manager, White Spot
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Email: white.spot@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Recreational fishers
Recreational fishers can help keep South Australia free of WSD by:
- buying bait and berley from reputable outlets – any product from Queensland's WSD movement restriction area or NSW must have been gamma irradiated
- disposing of untreated bait or berley supplies from the WSD control area or NSW into landfill or at quarantine stations across South Australia
- never using imported prawns, crabs and other crustaceans purchased for human consumption as bait or berley – you could be fined if caught
- never using uncooked seafood including prawn heads, shells or meat as bait or berley – it could introduce aquatic animal diseases
- using locally caught bait only in the waters from where it came – fines apply if caught depositing species into state waters that are not endemic to the area.
The safest bait for fishing is what you have caught locally or purchased from your local tackle shop.
Fines apply if caught depositing high-risk species, including:
- seafood intended for human consumption
- untreated exotic or aquaculture species.
Report suspected WSD
If you think you have found or seen WSD:
- photograph it
- collect it (refrigerate or freeze)
- report it immediately.
