A control zone has been established after white spot syndrome virus was detected in wild prawns in northern New South Wales.
The Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) found a large number of the 195 school prawns caught from the inshore ocean area near Evans Head, south of Byron Bay, in late April had tested positive for the virus.
Genetic testing is currently being done to confirm the virus’ DNA to check if there are any connections to previous detections in New South Wales and Queensland.
NSW DPI chief veterinary officer Jo Coombe said a new control zone has been set up to minimise the risk of the virus spreading to other parts of the state and the country.
“This is the first confirmed detection of white spot in NSW wild school prawns, collected directly from ocean waters not associated with a clinical white spot disease outbreak,” she said.
“The control zone restricts the movement of green, uncooked, school and king prawns and other decapod crustaceans, beach and other polycheate worms out of the area.
“Mud, blue swimmer, three spot and spanner crabs, lobsters and bugs are excluded from the movement restrictions.”
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A separate control zone for white spot is already in place at the nearby Clarence River, south of Evans Head.
The NSW DPI said white spot does not pose a threat to human health or food safety and the state’s seafood, including prawns, remains safe to eat.
The virus does, however, pose a risk to decapod crustaceans (prawns, crabs, crayfish and lobsters).
It is highly contagious and often has devastating and fatal impacts on populations, according to the Australian Department of Fisheries.
