Fish Health and Biosecurity

The FHCP places the following fish health and biosecurity conditions on Aussie Fish Aquatics to ensure that fish health management is consistently maintained by :

1. Keeping of fish health records
2. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for quarantine, disinfection, disease investigation, disease treatment and control
3. Reporting of significant or notifiable diseases
4. Regular veterinary inspection program of the facility

Since 1985 Aussie Fish Aquatics has been submitting samples to the Queensland Government Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory for health testing. These tests are comprehensive. They include gross, and histology examination, (histopathology) of each sample submitted. This is where the sample, (Usually about 30 fish from each batch or pond.) is sliced into ultra thin, transparent sections which are then examined under a microscope by a highly qualified Queensland Government fish pathologist.

These tests have been a requirement for batches of fish to be sent to aquaculture facilities outside the state of Queensland.

In 2010, Aussie Fish Aquatics volunteered to participate in a new scheme designed to better capture the health of fish at our aquaculture facility. This new scheme developed by the Queensland Government, the Fish Health Certification Program, (FHCP) requires samples to be sent on a regular basis regardless of where the fish were to be sold.

The FHCP carries out regular disease surveillance testing by gross and histopathology performed by the Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory (BSL) of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF-Qld), Queensland State Government.

This is a more intensive, structured, program of testing and monitoring which would enhance Aussie Fish Aquatics’s ability to provide quality fish to its customers.

To date no OIE or quarantinable diseases have been detected.

Aussie Fish Aquatics has always considered fish health to be a high priority. A new lab was constructed at Aussie Fish Aquatics in 2008. This lab has several microscopes, one having a camera fitted creating a good training tool for staff.

If required Aussie Fish Aquatics will supply a health certificate and (OR) AQIS certificate to customers with their deliveries of fish.