In this project, we developed guidelines to provide the Australian sea-cage finfish (non-salmonid) industry with the tools and templates to create an auditable farm biosecurity plan. Consideration was given to the current farming of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi), southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) and cobia (Rachycentron canadum). There were two components to this project. Firstly, an industry-government workshop was held on the 7 November 2019 in Adelaide. Attendees included representatives from the sea-cage finfish industry (peak body industry representatives, farm managers, hatchery representatives) and relevant state government representatives across Australia. Attendees discussed disease risks for sea-cage finfish farms, existing biosecurity guidelines, policy, risk assessments, and the appropriate content of a sea-cage finfish (non-salmonid) biosecurity plan. Based on these discussion, attendees workshopped best practice and practical biosecurity management for sea-cage finfish (non-salmonid) farms.
The second component of the project was to develop biosecurity plan guideline and template for the sea-cage finfish (non-salmonid) industry of Australia. These guidelines are based on information from the industry workshop and related reference material. In these guidelines, we highlight the potential routes for disease transmission, including disease spread onto, with-in and off of the farm to facilitate associated risk assessments for disease transmission. Risk pathways and associated mitigation processes identified in the workshop, included water, animals, equipment, vessels, vehicles, feed and people. These pathways were included in the biosecurity plan guidelines. In addition, templates for suggested supporting documents are also provided in the guideline to develop a comprehensive plan.