DAFF Biosecurity (formerly AQIS) has been advised that Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (PST) has been detected in east coast Tasmanian waters. DAFF is working with state authorities to gain more information, however be advised that a direction in writing will be issued very shortly to immediately cease sourcing for export from (at this stage) abalone blocks 14B and 14B.
Under the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Orders 2005, schedule 5 Clause 1.1, fish and fish products for export must not be sourced from an area where there is reasonable grounds to believe that there are potentially harmful natural toxicants (which includes biotoxins such as PST) and that could result in unacceptable levels present in fish and fish products.
At this time, it is asked that you begin taking preparatory action before receiving the official direction to cease sourcing from these areas. If you have not, and do not intend to, receive abalone from these catch areas, then the only action you need to take going forward is to ensure that you do not receive any abalone for export from these areas once the direction is issued.
If you have received abalone from these catch areas, or are expecting to in the future, as a priority, you are now asked to take the necessary steps for a direction to cease sourcing for export.
To support all Declaration of Compliance, block numbers where abalone has been sourced will need to be recorded and traceable.
Please email me or fax 02 6272 3238, if you have any queries or concerns regarding this notice.
Thank you.
Regards,
Taryn Rowley
Commodity Officer | Food Division | Dairy, Egg and Fish Program
Fax +61 2 6272 3238
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
DAFF Biosecurity – Dairy, Egg and Fish Program
7 London Circuit, Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia