IT IS important to avoid using imported seafood bought for human consumption as bait to protect Australia's aquatic animals from exotic pests and diseases (Examiner, 5th Column, 16 Aug 2012).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While it may not seem logical at first, imported seafood that poses no health risk to humans could potentially carry disease agents that might infect Australian farmed and wild aquatic animals.
One way that exotic diseases could reach Australian waterways is through the use of imported seafood, including squid, as bait.
To manage this, the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry requires that frozen seafood imported for human consumption is labelled "For human consumption only, not to be used as bait or feed for aquatic animals".
We are pleased to see these messages are being seen by your readers.
Mark Schipp
Australian Chief Vet Officer Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry
