Australia is continuing its work in aquatic animal health management and has released its third national plan to ensure a sustainable future.
AQUAPLAN 2014-19: Australia’s National Strategic Plan for Aquatic Animal Health outlines industry and government priorities to improve national biosecurity and health management policies for aquatic animals. It also looks at the main aquatic animal health issues relevant to aquaculture, commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries, the ornamental fish industry, the tourism industry and the environment.
“Aquatic animal diseases rarely affect human health, but they can have a big impact on aquaculture and fisheries productivity,” explained Tasmania Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Senator Richard Colbeck.
“The plan was developed collaboratively by the Australian Government, state and territory governments and representatives from Australia’s aquaculture, commercial and recreational fisheries, and ornamental fish industries,” he added.
“Australia is considered a leader in aquatic animal health, and it’s all because of the way industry and governments work together to manage issues and set priorities. It’s all about having a shared vision of what the true priorities are in aquatic animal health over the next five years,” Senator Colbeck concluded.
In 2012, the Australian fisheries and aquaculture sector was valued at AUS$2.3bn.
