Survey Of Wild Stocks Finds Wa Prawns Clear Of Exotic Viruses

Media Release
2 August 2010 30/2010

Survey of wild stocks finds WA prawns clear of exotic
viruses
Western Australia's wild caught prawn fisheries are considered to be free of exotic
viruses, after a major testing program to check for the diseases.

Department of Fisheries senior pathologist Dr Brian Jones said the checks showed
there was no presence of the three most feared prawn viruses IHHNV (Infectious
Hypodermal and Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus), WSSV (Whitespot Syndrome Virus)
and GAV (Gill-Associated Virus) in the State's northwest waters.

"GAV does occur in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf on the WA/Northern Territory border,
where it is believed to have established following escapes from NT prawn farms stocked
with infected Queensland prawns," Dr Jones said.

"Apart from that specific location though, which has been known about for five years,
GAV has not been detected anywhere else in WA.

Dr Jones said there were wild caught prawn fisheries around Shark Bay, Exmouth Gulf,
Onslow, Nickol Bay, Broome, and in the Kimberley (which extends from Koolan Island
to Cape Londonderry).

"The industry is currently worth between $25 and $30 million to the State every year
and, even though the viruses are harmless to humans, the disease free status of WA's
prawn fisheries is vital to their ongoing success," he said.

"Strains of the highly infectious virus IHHNV were detected in five Queensland prawn
farms in 2008 and it is important that we continue to protect WA's wild caught prawn
fisheries (we have no prawn farms) from imports of infected live Queensland prawns.

"There is also a need to test for WSSV and GAV to maintain our claim to be free of
these serious diseases. WA prawns are at high risk of becoming infected with these
viruses."

Dr Jones said the testing, which began last year, focussed on all the prawn fisheries on
the North West Shelf as far north as Broome.

"Biosecurity is a vitally important factor in maintaining the health of Western Australia's
fisheries and the department has been involved in projects to help enhance the State's
marine defences, through strategies and equipment to diagnose and identify potential
and present risks." (ENDS)

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