Information for local residents, recreational fishers and waterway
users in the Logan River area
The Albert and Logan Rivers are now closed
to commercial and recreational fishers moving
crustaceans and worms.
These restrictions are in place to help contain
an outbreak of white spot disease
(WSD) which was detected originally in
aquaculture prawns at Alberton.
The area is being restricted to minimise the
risk of the virus spreading any further through
locally-caught wild prawns, crabs or worms.
Anyone who needs to remove crab pots or
other fishing equipment from the river must
thoroughly clean their equipment before they
leave the area.
Penalties may apply to anyone who breaches
these restrictions. More information on the
movement controls can be found at
www.daf.qld.gov.au.
Any movement of green, uncooked
crustaceans taken from this area would
represent a real risk for moving the virus
beyond the Logan River.
Logan River is now closed to the movement of
these species from the Jabiru and Luscombe
Weirs in the west to the mouth of the river in
the east.
Biosecurity Queensland recognises that this
may impact on the plans of local fishers over
the holiday period, but all steps to ensure that
this virus does not go any further need to be
taken.
Disinfection and destocking of ponds at a
number of aquaculture farms on the Logan
River has been ongoing since last week when
the outbreak was first detected.
Infected prawns do not pose any human
health risk, and despite this latest
development there will be no impact on the
supplies of prawns for the holiday season.
Infected prawns do not pose any human
health risk and there is no suggestion that any
product currently on the market is in any way
affected.
What is white spot disease?
White spot disease is a highly contagious viral
infection that affects all crustaceans. Australia
has previously been free of the virus.
The disease is primarily spread through the
movement of infected animals or
contaminated water. Birds feeding on infected
animals can contribute to the spread of the
disease.
The virus that causes white spot disease is
found throughout East, South East and South
Asia, and the Americas.
A widespread outbreak of white spot disease
would have a significant impact on the
Australian aquaculture industry as well as
adverse trade implications and environmental
and social impacts.
Outbreaks of white spot disease often results
in high and rapid mortality. In aquaculture
operations white spot disease can result in
100% mortality within a few days of the onset
of visible signs of the disease.
Important information for local residents
Disease control activities are continuing on a
number of aquaculture farms in the Alberton
area.
prawns by birds. As such, non-lethal gas
guns are being used regularly to help scare
birds away from properties.
Chlorine is being used to destroy the prawns
which will then be disposed of – residents
may be able to smell these chemicals when in
use.
We expect that all of these disease control
activities will continue for a number of weeks.
In addition, an important part of containing the
disease is stopping the spread of infected
What does white spot disease look like?
Prawns with white spot disease may have a
loose shell with numerous white spots (0.5-2.0
mm in diameter) on the inside surface of the
shell and a pink to red discolouration.
Other signs to look for include:


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unusual mortality
prawns coming to the edge or water
surface
prawns demonstrating unusual
swimming patterns.
What to do if you suspect white spot
disease?
It is crucial that all aquaculture operators,
recreational fishers and waterway users report
unusual signs in prawns and other
crustaceans.
Early detection is essential to containing this
serious disease.
If you see crustaceans that you suspect have
the disease it is important to take note of the
location and time and report this information
immediately to Biosecurity Queensland
on 13 25 23.
More information
For more information about white spot
disease and details of the fishing closure,
including a map, visit www.daf.qld.gov.au
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