Marine Produce Australia: Cone Bay Barramundi Aquaculture ...

� All staff and contractors will participate in the monitoring program and will be trained in
species identification; and
� Staff will be fully trained in farm and vessel operations.
Introduction of disease and parasites
A Barramundi Health Management and Emergency Plan (BHMEP) has been developed which
includes procedures to prevent a disease and/or parasite outbreak. Management procedures
include the following best-practice measures:
� Development of a procedures manual for sea cage culture which includes conservative
stocking densities, minimal handling, daily monitoring of fish health, regular net
inspections and cleaning protocol;
� Adherence to Fisheries WA translocation regulations;
� No introduction of stock from overseas sources;
� Any equipment or manufactured feed obtained from overseas sources will satisfy and
comply to the standard Customs and Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)
regulations and approvals;
� Stringent disease testing before fish are transported to the Cone Bay land based facility;
� Fingerlings to be sourced from an accredited hatchery (accreditation given by the states
Animal Health Laboratory, Department of Agriculture or similar regulatory body);
� Development of a procedures manual for land based culture which includes conservative
stocking densities, minimal handling, daily monitoring of fish health, sterilisation and
maintenance protocols of land based facility and associated equipment and improvement
in hatchery techniques;
� Development of a staff training program in fish handling, biology, behaviour and health
monitoring;
� Vaccination of fish to prevent disease; and
� In the unlikely event of a disease outbreak, MPA will consult with the DoF Fish
Pathologist/Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), the WA Fisheries Director (or representative)
and the General Manger of the OEPA and development of a disease contingency plan in
accordance to his/her recommendations.
Escape of cultured fish
Prevention is the management focus as there is no practical ‘post-escape’ contingency plan
for open sea-cage systems. The sea-cage nets used by MPA are already tested and proven to
be capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions and predators, so have proven worthy
for continued use. Routine inspection will be conducted, and where necessary replacement of
nets will occur.
A “Procedures and Protocol” manual for net changing, fish transfer and fish harvesting
activities has been developed to reduce fish escapes during these processes. The manual will
be utilised during staff induction and training sessions and will be reviewed on a regular
basis. The use of endemic broodstock, where possible, will also avoid any potential impacts
associated with genetic variation of the wild stocks.
Provision of aquaculture food sources to local biota
For both environmental and economical reasons, the Cone Bay operation uses high quality
manufactured feed that is closely scrutinised to ensure minimal feed wastage to the
surrounding water. Feed rates will be managed through the use of feed and tide tables, and
where possible feeding events will be monitored through the use of underwater video or
pellet sensors. Feeding will be conducted on a daily basis and feed placement will be
appropriate to the tidal movement. This will allow farmed fish ample time to consume the
feed pellet before it is ‘swept’ out of the cages by tidal movement. All feed information will
be recorded on a daily basis to allow further calculations of feed rates and feed conversion
rates to ensure the operation is running at its optimum.
Noise
Boats are regularly serviced and maintained to reduce noise emissions. In addition, the
aquaculture site is close to the Cone Bay land base and as a result boating hours will be kept
to a minimum. All staff will be adequately trained and educated in correct boat handling
procedures to ensure no unacceptable vessel manoeuvres will occur.
Oceanica: Marine Produce Australia: Cone Bay Barramundi Aquaculture, Environmental Monitoring & Management Plan 35