AS PART of a new campaign designed to raise awareness of the potential damage from invasive marine pests, Queensland agriculture minister Mark Furner said there are many within the community that depend on the marine environment for their livelihood.
“That’s why we are building a legacy of a sustainable fishery for our children and grandchildren, so we can all enjoy fishing and the jobs it generates for many years to come.”
Mr Furner said Biosecurity Queensland had developed the Marine Pest Prevention and Preparedness Education and Awareness Campaign to increase industry and public knowledge of marine biosecurity.
“Biosecurity Queensland will work with maritime stakeholders to increase their knowledge of marine pest biosecurity and how to minimise the risk of marine pest incidents in Queensland,’” he said.
“A marine pest detection response kit, including equipment and information, has been developed to build the practical capability of stakeholders to respond to a suspected marine pest.
“These kits will be distributed to ports, marinas, slipway operators and volunteer community groups,” Mr Furner said.
Mr Furner said although Queensland currently had no known established marine pests, it could never be complacent.
“Early detection and reporting of such marine pests is vital,” he said.
Queenslanders are urged to be on the lookout for following marine pests: Asian green mussel; Black striped false mussel; Asian bag mussel; Brown mussel; Harris mud crab; Chinese mitten crab; and Japanese seaweed.
These are the invasive pests Queensland authorities are most worried about because they are the most likely to arrive and establish in the region.
