Resources
An array of surveillance and diagnostic resources arose from AQUAPLAN 1998-2003, reflecting Australia's enhanced diagnostic capability for aquatic animal disease.
Aquatic Animal Diseases Significant to Australia: Identification Field Guide
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is pleased to introduce the third edition of this field guide. The result of a collaborative activity among a number of fish health experts from academia, industry, state and territory governments and CSIRO, it is aimed at improving the ability to diagnose diseases of significance to aquaculture and fisheries in Australia. Drawing extensively on experience and research activities in aquatic animal health management, both in Australia and abroad, the guide complements the growing body of practical knowledge published for aquaculture and fisheries in Australia. The guide provides fisheries and aquaculture managers, recreational fishers, border protection staff, environmentalists, students of aquatic animal health, and fisheries management with a reference guide to support decisions on aquatic animal health.
AQUAVETPLAN
AQUAVETPLAN is the Australian Aquatic Veterinary Emergency Plan. It is a series of manuals that outline Australia’s approach to national disease preparedness and propose the technical response and control strategies to be activated in a national aquatic animal disease emergency. More information on the AQUAVETPLAN
Fish Kills Protocol
The National Investigation and Reporting Protocol for Fish Kills has been developed to provide a consistent national approach, and minimum standards, for the management of fish kill incidents. Thorough investigation of fish kills - unusual mortality events in non-mammalian aquatic animals - can provide early warning of exotic or emerging diseases that could threaten Australia’s aquatic ecosystems, fisheries resources or aquaculture industries.
Fish Kills Protocol 
PDF [551kb]
Fish Kill Incident Log Form PDF [90kb]
Hard copies of the above documents can be obtained by emailing the Aquatic Animal Health Program.
Standard Diagnostic Techniques
Australian and New Zealand Standard Diagnostic Procedures (ANZSDPs) are used to facilitate the standardisation of diagnostic test methodology and the interpretation of results. The procedures are written by scientists and endorsed by the sub-committee on Animal Health Laboratory Standards.
ANZSDPs are consistent with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Manual of Standards for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines but may exceed those requirements where special procedures and interpretation are necessary for Australian and New Zealand circumstances.
The National Aquatic Animal Health Technical Working Group (NAAH-TWG) manages the production of new, and revision of existing, ANZSDPs for aquatic animal pathogens and diseases.
Current aquatic ANZSDPs can be accessed on the NAAH-TWG website.
The AQUAPLAN Zoning Policy Guidelines
These zoning policy guidelines explain the generic principles of zoning based on pathogen distribution, the movement principles between zones and international relevance of national zoning. They were jointly developed by the private sector and the Australian and state and territory governments.
Zoning Policy Guidelines - August 2000 PDF [154kb]