Resources

An array of surveillance and diagnostic resources has arisen from AQUAPLAN 1998-2003 and AQUAPLAN 2005-2010, reflecting Australia's enhanced diagnostic and response 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. View or download a copy of the Aquatic Animal Diseases Significant to Australia: Identification Field Guide.

Disease Watch: Aquatic Animal Health Awareness

The Disease Watch section of this website is an initiative of the Aquatic Animal Health Program within the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) providing information and awareness resources on aquatic animal disease management in Australia. The materials found here are for use by both professionals and lay people who have an interest in aquatic animal health. More information about Disease Watch.

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 requested by email to 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.

Current aquatic ANZSDPs can be accessed on the SCAHLS 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]