White spot disease found in crabs, prawns in northern Moreton Bay

This is despite earlier tests in August and September last year finding no signs of the disease.

It is not known if the disease was reintroduced by infected, raw seafood or remained undetected in south-east Queensland waters since first being found in late 2016.

The positive results mean white spot clearance dates for south-east Queensland waters have been pushed back past April, 2020.

Acting chief biosecurity officer Malcolm Letts said restrictions on the movement of uncooked prawns, yabbies and marine worms from the south-east Queensland restriction zone remained in place.

People have been advised to not throw raw seafood into waterways. Authorities have also warned fishermen to use only Australian wild-caught product as bait.

The importation of green prawns was suspended for six months by the federal government early last year, after it was found some fishermen were using raw prawns sold in supermarkets.

Crustaceans infected with white spot are not harmful to humans if cooked when eaten. However the disease is fatal to prawns and crabs.

The Queensland government will push the federal government to introduce tougher importation standards.

“The Queensland government doesn't control the importation of produce into the country. This is controlled by the Australian government,” a Biosecurity Queensland statement read.

“A new import risk assessment will be conducted shortly by the federal government. This will look at the costs and impacts of disease incursions. 

“During this process the Queensland government will be advocating for the implementation of stronger measures to reduce future risks associated with imported seafood that may contain diseases of concern to Australia.”

Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said no signs of the disease had been found in samples collected from southern Moreton Bay in the latest round of testing.

“(Northern Moreton Bay) is the same area that positive results were found in 2017 and Biosecurity Queensland is processing the remaining samples collected from the Logan and Brisbane River area and will release the results once the testing has been completed,” Mr Furner said.

Results from white spot surveillance along Queensland’s east coast are expected in June.

White spot disease has been found in mangrove swimming crabs, blue swimmer crabs, mud crabs and prawns.

While infected crabs do not show noticeable physical symptoms, prawns with the disease may have a loose shell with numerous white spots on the inside surface and a pink to red discolouration.

For more information or to report white spot finds, visit here or phone 13 25 23.