NSW Department of Industries confirms third white spot disease outbreak in Clarence Valley

The Clarence seafood industry has received further crippling news, with a fresh outbreak of white spot disease confirmed. Find out what is at stake for local fishermen like Bruce Clarke.

A prawn infected with white spot disease.

It was the worst possible news for an industry already being hammered in what should be their peak season.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has confirmed a third outbreak of the white spot virus at a Yamba prawn farm.

The latest outbreak was detected on April 21.

The contagious viral crustacean infection was first found in two Palmers Island prawn farms in February.

Since then a control order has been issued, crippling the local fishing industry and prompting fears of widespread job losses, as the DPI moves to prevent the infection spreading.

The Clarence Control Zone (in red). Source: NSW DPI.

While white spot does not pose a risk to people, it can rip through a prawn farm in a few days and poses a serious threat to freshwater and marine crustaceans in both farmed and wild fisheries, including crabs, lobsters and yabbies.

White spot was first detected in Australia at prawn farms on the Logan River in southeast Queensland in late 2016 and in wild populations in Moreton Bay in 2017, according to the Department of Primary Industries.

A prawn infected with white spot disease.

A new control order has restricted the movement of raw prawns out of an area dubbed the Clarence River Control Zone, covering the Clarence Estuary.

While it remains in place, professional anglers have been left without a source of income.

Local lower Clarence River fisherman Bruce Clarke, who works with both his son, Ricky, and grandson, Brodie, said the most recent announcement of a third white spot outbreak has been devastating.

Mr Clarke said he has been unable to earn an income since February 15, and is still waiting for the government to provide compensation.

Local fisherman Bruce Clarke.

Bruce Clarke’s fishing boat has been tied up since the outbreak was first announced.

“The first (white spot) outbreak was bad enough, the second was worse, and the third is very hush hush – we haven’t been given the information,” he said.

All he has been offered so far from the DPI is a one-third reduction of his annual management fees, which he is obligated to pay each year.

“It’s appalling because that equates to nothing,” Mr Clarke said.

“Other than that, assistance is null and void … it certainly isn’t enough to put food on the table.”

Mr Clarke is now engaging in a class-action lawsuit which is being handled by Chris Thompson from Law Essentials, Hervey Bay.

He said the DPI’s approach to the most recent outbreak has been “appalling … (because) no one wants to admit liability”.

Clarence MP Richie Williamson (left), Page MP Kevin Hogan (second from right) and members of the Clarence River Fisherman's Co-Operative have urged governments to provide income support.

Clarence River Fishing Co-operative (CRFC) chief executive officer Danielle Adams said the impact of the white spot outbreak has been “devastating”.

“It’s a very concerning and frustrating time for our regional community knowing that our wild catch estuary prawners have been unable to work for the last 11 weeks with a potential long term further extension ahead of us,” Ms Adams said.

“It’s been discussed but not formalised as yet by DPI Biosecurity that the control order could be extended by 24 months.

“The impacts this longer term order will have on our fishers and the land based supporting businesses will be devastating to our historical fishery and as one of the biggest regions to supply green school prawns the impacts will be felt far and wide.”

A NSW DPI spokeswoman said efforts were underway to work with the newly affected farm, as well as the previously affected ones, to minimise the risk of further spread.

“NSW DPI is currently finalising testing and surveillance for white spot in northern NSW for this season. This includes testing on harvested prawns, and testing from the Clarence River and surrounds,” the spokeswoman said.

“All samples of harvested prawns taken from the Clarence River and surrounding areas tested negative to white spot.

“Work to determine the source of the outbreak is ongoing … (and) discussions with industry continue to work through potential support and assistance options.”

Suspected sightings of white spot in prawns should be reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.