Help stop marine pests from invading your fishing grounds and aquaculture operations
Preventing marine pest invasions in fishing grounds and fishing ports is critical. Once they become established, marine pests are almost impossible to eradicate.
Commercial fishing
If you are an owner, operator or crew of a fishing vessel, you have an important role in keeping marine pests out of fishing grounds and ports. You can help by:
- minimising the build-up of biofouling on your vessel through a high standard of cleaning and maintenance. For more information on recommended biofouling practices for commercial fishing vessels go to the Managing biofouling page
- managing ballast water in accordance with the Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements.
Aquaculture
If you are involved in the aquaculture industry, you can help prevent the spread of marine pests by:
- complying with state/territory government restrictions for movement of stock and equipment within and between states (refer to your state/territory authority for information on protocols and restrictions applying to specific aquaculture operations in your jurisdiction)
- minimising the build-up of biofouling on stock and equipment through a high standard of hygiene and maintenance
- minimising the build-up of biofouling on vessels used in your enterprise.
Biofouling management guidelines for aquaculture operations are being developed in conjunction with the National Aquaculture Council. These guidelines will provide practical recommendations to help operators manage biofouling associated with movement of stock and equipment for sectors within the aquaculture industry.
For assistance on managing biofouling on vessels used in daily operations, operators should refer to the 'National biofouling management guidelines for commercial fishing vessels' 
PDF [850 kb] or for a summary, go to the Managing biofouling page.
