Biosecurity Guidance for the prevention of aquatic diseases

Biosecurity in the aquatic environment is particularly important given the direct connection between animals and their environment and ability to rapidly spread.

Removal of disease from the aquatic environment is extremely challenging and may not be possible without widespread effects. Prevention is always the main approach; therefore, robust biosecurity practice is extremely important.

Many aquatic diseases have the potential to cause large scale disease and mortality and are extremely difficult to eradicate or control. As such the emphasis is to prevent the occurrence of disease or put in place effective controls to prevent its further spread.

The documents here provide biosecurity guidance for the various types of aquatic environment sector users including specific advice in the event of a serious disease outbreak such as the use of disinfectant measures and how these are deployed. There is also specific advice on the safe handling and legal disposal of such waste.