Australia told to ban green shrimp imports

Australia told to ban green shrimp imports

SYDNEY (AP): A state government has called on federal authorities Wednesday to ban green shrimp imports from Asia and South America that could carry a deadly virus that would threaten local aquaculture industry.

New South Wales state Fisheries Minister Eddie Obeid said the White Spot Syndrome Virus has destroyed shrimp farms in China, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. The disease has also been detected on Australia's north coast.

Obeid said urgent action is needed to prevent the disease from spreading.

"We need to act now to protect our state's growing...aquaculture industry and to protect waters from this serious environmental threat," he said. "The New South Wales government strongly supports a ban on importing green (shrimp) from countries with this infection."

White Spot Syndrome Virus is described as a highly contagious disease that can kill crustaceans such as shrimp, lobster and crabs.

Cooking destroys the virus but it can be transmitted to native species through the use of infected green shrimp as bait.

The state government Wednesday said it would impose fines of up to 55,000 Australian dollars for the sale of shrimp infected with the virus.

The Australian wild shrimp industry is worth A$356 million annually. The New South Wales shrimp farming industry is worth A$6.1 million.