Health

Healthy aquatic environments are important to biosecurity because degraded habitats decrease the resilience of native species and increase the chance of a pest or disease establishing.

As well as the global movement of people, and the trade of animals and goods, there are other factors that affect biosecurity risk: geography, climate and climate change, new industries, development and changing demographics and land use.

Therefore, while strictly not included in the definition of biosecurity, issues such as biological and chemical contaminants (of food-producing plants and animals, and the environment), reduced water quality and habitat decline significantly impact the health of aquatic systems. Ensuring healthy aquatic environments also assist in the recovery of systems when a pest or disease has been eradicated.

PIRSA Biosecurity maintains a proactive program monitoring and assessing aquatic health issues that increase biosecurity risk as well as responding to a number of aquatic health issues.

Current and Potential Aquatic Health Issues

Fish Kills

Oil and Chemical Spills

 

For information on aquatic animal health please visit the PIRSA Aquaculture site.