PORT of Townsville has been equipped with AI technology as part of a biosecurity project that aims to combat the varroa mite threat.

The port has joined forces with Biosecurity Queensland and the Purple Hive Project, an initiative of Vimana Tech, to monitor for varroa mite.

The Purple Hive Project uses artificial intelligence to scan honeybees for “varroa destructor”, which was recently detected in Australia, for the first time, in New South Wales.

Port of Townsville claims the Purple Hive Project installation is a first for Queensland, following deployment in Victoria and in New Zealand.

Mark McNeil, general manager – assets and environment at Port of Townsville, said ports have been flagged as high-risk pathways for bee pests to enter Queensland.

He said bees can enter Australia on vessels or in freight, spreading pests like varroa destructor which can kill off honeybees and impact plants that require the pollinators to reproduce.

“Townsville was at the forefront of the fight against varroa mite following detections of varroa jacobsoni in 2016, 2019 and 2020,” Mr McNeil said.

“While these incursions have been officially eradicated, we continue to work alongside Biosecurity Queensland to ensure Queensland remains varroa mite free.

“Townsville is Australia’s largest sugar export port, and we also handle significant sugar volumes at Lucinda Port, so we are acutely aware of the importance of protecting the agriculture industry and its significant contribution to the region’s economy.”

Member for Mundingburra Les Walker said the partnership would help protect the region from a potentially deadly pest.

“We want to make sure Townsville and Queensland remains varroa mite free which is why this project is important,” Mr Walker said.

“Innovative ideas like this are essential because we know places like ports are potential entry points for pests.”

And Vimana Tech chief technology officer Vignesh Murugan said new technologies like Purple Hive are critical following the detection of varroa destructor in NSW.

“From today, the Purple Hive is now actively monitoring for varroa destructor at the Port of Townsville in real-time,” Mr Murugan said.

“The work on the Purple Hive Project continues thanks to the investment from Bega Group’s B honey and Vimana Tech, and we couldn’t be happier for the support of the Port of Townsville and Biosecurity Queensland for proactively installing this technology.”