The current program of simulation exercises conducted under the auspices of the Federal Budget Initiative is designed to provide individual jurisdictions with training in the management of aquatic animal disease emergencies. However, within Australia, both marine and freshwater environments cross State/Territory boundaries. The need for inter-jurisdictional co-operation in successful disease control and eradication has not previously been addressed. A current FRDC project, 2002/660 is providing training focussed on the operation of the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases, however, the aims and objectives of the current proposal are to develop cooperation at a technical and operational level rather than the strategic level addressed by project 2002/660.
The current proposal follows on from a previous project (2002/655) that involved:
1. Recruitment of stakeholders to the proposed exercise,
2. The development of the exercise documentation and plans,
3. Obtaining financial support from stakeholders

All of these objectives have been met. The project outlined in the current proposal will allow for the conduct of the exercise as planned. This project submission has been requested by the FRDC Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram.