Enhanced biosecurity has been identified as a priority area in the ABFA 2015 – 2020 Strategic Plan.

Although the farmed barramundi industry and relevant jurisdictions have implemented a range of measures to mitigate the risks of major diseases of concern (i.e. individual on farm biosecurity procedures and engagement and sponsorship of a number of specific projects), this industry sector does not have a nationally consistent, agreed approach to biosecurity.

The development of a sector-specific national biosecurity plan for the farmed barramundi industry would ensure a common level of biosecurity risk management to support specific enterprise and whole-of industry productivity.

Furthermore, work is underway to develop industry-government emergency aquatic animal disease response arrangements. These arrangements should be underpinned by amongst other measures an industry biosecurity plan.

The industry feel that they are at a high risk to diseases introduction through the importation of fish that require processing from high risk regions that have very potent diseases such as pot belly and scale drop syndrome. As such enhanced Industry biosecurity measures are considered critical to the growth of barramundi farming in Australia.