Victoria has strengthened its biosecurity protections by declaring 14 additional high-risk aquatic species as noxious, in a move aimed at safeguarding the state’s waterways, native wildlife and water-dependent industries.
The updated rules mean the newly listed species must not be brought into Victoria, kept, sold, transported or released in the state’s protected waters.
Agriculture Victoria says the tougher regulations are designed to reduce the growing threat posed by invasive aquatic pests, which can rapidly spread through rivers, lakes and coastal environments and are extremely difficult to eradicate once established.
Biosecurity Victoria executive director Charlotte Austin said aquatic pests presented a serious risk to Victoria’s natural ecosystems and the industries that rely on healthy waterways.
“Victoria’s rivers, lakes and coasts face increasing threats from harmful pests and invasives that do not belong here,” Ms Austin said.
“These pests can damage habitats, harm native wildlife, and hurt local industries by spreading quickly and are almost impossible to remove once they take hold.”
Ms Austin said invasive species could be transported between waterways in a number of ways, including on boat hulls, fishing equipment and through the aquarium trade.
“They can hitch a ride on boat hulls, fishing gear, or even through the aquarium trade and if they spread, they cost millions of dollars to manage and can destroy our waterways,” she said.
Authorities are urging recreational boaters and anglers to take simple steps to help prevent the spread of pests. This includes thoroughly cleaning and drying boats, trailers and equipment before moving between waterways, checking for organisms such as mussels or algae, and avoiding the release of aquarium fish, plants or water into natural environments.
Officials also warned against using declared aquatic pest species as bait and advised anglers to use locally sourced bait rather than transporting live bait between locations.
Agriculture Victoria is asking members of the public to report any unusual or exotic aquatic species sightings so authorities can respond quickly.
The 14 newly declared noxious aquatic species include several crabs, mussels, sea squirts and freshwater organisms such as the zebra mussel, freshwater golden clam and didymo — a highly invasive algae sometimes known as “rock snot”.
Biosecurity officials say early detection and public cooperation are critical to protecting Victoria’s waterways from invasive species.
