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Tasmanian Biosecurity Advisories

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

Latest Advisories

Subscribing to get Biosecurity Tasmania Advisories is the best way you can keep yourself up-to-date and fully informed about Tasmanian biosecurity issues. Our Advisories cover topics such as changes or proposed changes to Tasmania’s import regulations, animal health and welfare, plant health, forthcoming regulation reviews and opportunities for public comment, new or emerging pest/disease risks and a range of other matters related to Tasmania’s biosecurity.


193 advisories found for Marine+pests.
 
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Biosecurity Advisory 31/2025 - Start of Fruit Fly High Risk Season for Tasmania

​Spring is here, which means more pressure and risk of fruit flies occurring in fruit from mainland states. Biosecurity Tasmania asks all Tasmanians to keep an eye out for anything unusual in the fruit they buy or grow. The spring and summer months are the peak times for fruit fly activity interstate and a time of increased risk for Tasmania.

Tasmania is fruit fly free, help us keep it that way!

Biosecurity Tasmania has strict controls and ongoing statewide surveillance in place; all aimed at reducing the risk of fruit flies getting into Tasmania. We also rely on the eyes of everyone and ask everybody to report any signs of fruit fly.

Tell-tale signs of fruit fly include live larvae or eggs in the flesh of fruit, or small puncture marks on the skin of fruit. Fruit fly larvae look similar to blowfly maggots and could potentially be found in fruit that you purchased, or from fruit grown in your backyard.  

Fruit flies lay eggs in a wide range of fruits and fruiting vegetables.

Remember biosecurity is a shared responsibility, and we all have a general biosecurity duty. Biosecurity Tasmania works closely with mainland states to help manage the fruit fly risk and there are increased resources and inspections taking place at the border for imported fruit fly host produce. However, the risk to Tasmania can never be zero. Therefore industry, government and the community are encouraged to remain vigilant and work together to help protect Tasmania.

Anyone who notices any larvae in fruit is asked to put the fruit in a sealed bag or container, place it in the refrigerator and contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777. Please DO NOT dispose of any fruit that has larvae present.

More information on fruit fly is at www.nre.tas.gov.au/fruitfly​

(7/10/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife; Bird flu; Freshwater pests; Livestock; Marine pests; Pasture;

Biosecurity Advisory 23/2025 - Potato mop-top virus detected in Tasmania

​Biosecurity Tasmania is responding to the detection of Potato mop-top virus (PMTV; Pomovirus solani) in potatoes harvested from Northwest Tasmania.

There are no food safety or human health risks associated with PMTV or powdery scab (Spongospora subterranea) and potatoes remain safe to consume.

Potato mop-top virus is a plant virus that affects the development and quality of potatoes and is most commonly spread by the soil-borne pathogen that causes powdery scab in potatoes (Spongospora subterranea).

The virus has been detected on a property in Northwest Tasmania following an industry member reporting potatoes showing signs of disease to Biosecurity Tasmania. Control measures are in place to manage the movement of possible risk material including potatoes and soil.

Biosecurity Tasmania has formed an Incident Management Team to respond to this detection and have commenced additional surveillance and diagnostics.

Biosecurity Tasmania is working with impacted businesses and the potato industry to conduct tracing operations. This will help to determine the distribution of PMTV in Tasmania and identify the likely source of infection.

This detection represents the first occurrence of PMTV in Australia. Tasmania will work with both state and national industry groups and other government jurisdictions to determine the feasibility of eradication.

These discussions will inform ongoing response activities in Tasmania

All growers and members of the public to remain vigilant for any signs of disease in potato plants and potato stock. You should report anything unusual such as signs of disease or other pests to Biosecurity Tasmania immediately, or the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline at 1800 084 881.

More information will be published online at www.nre.tas.gov.au/currentalerts as surveillance and diagnostic activities continue.

Further updates will be announced online and via the Tasmanian Biosecurity Advisory Service, which you can subscribe to at www.biosecuri​tyadvisory.nre.tas.gov.au/subscribe

If you need assistance of support during this time, please remember that help is always available. You can contact:

  • Lifeline 24/7 - 13 11 14
  • Access Mental Health Phoneline - 1800 332 388
    • This is a 24/7 mental health support, triage, and referral phone line delivered by the Tasmanian Department of Health in partnership with Lifeline Tasmania.
  • Rural Alive and Well (RAW) - 1800 729 827 or online www.ruralaliveandwell.com.au

(13/8/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Bird flu; Cropping; Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 21/2025 - Nominations for the 2025 Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards are now open.

​The Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards recognise individuals, organisations or businesses that have significantly contributed to the support, maintenance or improvement of biosecurity systems within Tasmania. 

This is an opportunity to recognise those in our communities and industries who have gone above and beyond to help protect our future.

Biosecurity is foundational to Tasmania’s economic, cultural and natural values and we all share the benefits of our strong biosecurity system. 

It underpins our multi-billion-dollar agri-food production and export industries, and helps to protect our unique flora, fauna and ecosystems that are of immeasurable value to Tasmanians, including our First Nations peoples, the original and ongoing custodians of Land and Sea Country, as well as visitors to our state. 

The awards recognise two categories, the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award and the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award.

In 2024 the Community Award was won by Bettina Elischer and the Industry Award by the TasPorts Environment and Sustainability Team.  

Bettina was recognised for her outstanding contribution to the Tasmanian beekeeping community and Biosecurity Tasmania’s statewide bee pest surveillance program through the apiary program that she runs at Government House in Hobart.

TasPorts were recognised for their work to increase awareness and knowledge of biosecurity threats at their ports through development of educational material and reporting pathways for each port, as well as reinforcement through a compliance program. 

If you, your team, business, organisation, group, or someone that you know, has contributed to supporting and improving biosecurity in Tasmania, you can submit a nomination today.

More information about the awards and the online nomination form can be found at – www.nre.tas.gov.au/tasbiosecurityawards ​

(1/8/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Cropping; Freshwater pests; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife; Pasture;

Biosecurity Advisory 5/2025 - Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2025 - Important Biosecurity Information

Hobart’s historic and beautiful waterfront will play host to the Australian Wooden Boat Festival from 7-10 February 2025.

If you are participating in this exciting event and are bringing your boat to the Festival from outside of Tasmania, or are travelling down from interstate by air or on the Spirit of Tasmania to check out all the action, there are some very important biosecurity requirements you will need to meet.

Tasmania has in place some of Australia’s stric​test biosecurity requirements. In fact, we all have a General Biosecurity Duty to help protect Tasmania from the impacts of pests, weeds and diseases.

Simply follow the Biosecurity Basics​ when preparing for your travel, and when arriving in Tasmania. Remember, if you don’t, penalties may apply.

Check your Bags:

If you intend to come ashore, check your vessel, storage, bags and possessions to make sure you’re not carrying any restricted or prohibited items, including fruit and vegetables, plant material, soil, seeds, honey and some seafood and animal products. 

You can find out more detailed information on what you can and can’t bring to Tasmania on the Biosecurity Tasmania website: https://nre.tas.gov.au/travellersguide  

If you are carrying any restricted or prohibited items with you, please be sure to appropriately dispose of those items when you arrive in Tasmania. 

Come in Clean: 

Ensure your vessel is clean and free from organic matter before arriving in Tasmania. 

Check and clean hulls, decks, deck equipment, bilge, holding tanks and wet wells.

Check, Clean and Dry your Equipment: 

  • Diving equipment including wetsuits, fins, masks, weight vests, hookah gear and other abalone harvesting equipment (catch bags, ab irons and knives etc). 
  • Fishing gear including rods, reels, waders, fish bins and catch bags and bait. 
  • Aquatic recreation gear including surf boards, kayaks, canoes, jet skis, biscuits and skis. 
  • Gum boots and wet weather pants etc.

Bringing your Dog or other Animals? Check the Rules: 

Tasmania has strict rules to ensure we remain free of hydatids disease and brown dog ticks, which can make our dogs – and even humans –​ sick.

If you’re bringing your dog to Tasmania, you must fill out a declaration to say that you have treated it for hydatids tape worm (tip: ensure the medication contains the active ingredient Praziquantel) and have checked its body recently for brown dog ticks. 

More information and the declaration form is available on the Biosecurity Tasmania website: https://nre.tas.gov.au/hydatid  

Bringing a different animal? Most other animals also have import requirements to enter Tasmania, so make sure that you check the Biosecurity Tasmania website before you travel.

​​​​​More Information:

​More information can be found on the Biosecurity Tasmania website​ or by visiting the Australian Wooden Boat Festival website: https://awbf2025.org.au/tasmanian-biosecurity/​

(3/2/2025)
Categories: Animals (general); Marine pests; Natural environment; Timber imports;

Biosecurity Advisory 38/2024 - Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards 2024 - Winners Announced

​Champions of Tasmania's biosecurity have been recognised at the second annual Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards, held last week on National Agriculture day.

The awards comprise two categories, the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award and the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award, and recognise those who have made a significant contribution to maintaining and improving biosecurity systems in Tasmania.

The recipient of the 2024 Community Biosecurity Award is Bettina Elischer, an employee at the Office of the Governor at Government House Tasmania, for her outstanding contribution to the Tasmanian beekeeping community and the Biosecurity Tasmania statewide bee pest surveillance program. 

Bees were reintroduced at the Government House Tasmania Estate in 2015 and have been managed since then to improve horticultural pollination onsite. One hive is also used as a 'sentinel' hive for Biosecurity Tasmania surveillance activities. Bettina has also promoted the importance of biosecurity in beekeeping through educational workshops and bee pest training days. 

Just Cats Inc. were also recognised for their community education about stray and feral cats, and the success of multiple initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of stray cats and promoting responsible cat ownership.

TasPorts were the winners of the Industry Biosecurity Award for the work by their Environment and Sustainability Team to increase awareness and knowledge of biosecurity threats at their ports. TasPorts has developed educational and reference material tailored to each port, workshopped biosecurity threats and reporting pathways with operational staff, and conducted follow-up inspections and verifications to ensure compliance. 

More information about the annual Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards is available at www.nre.tas.gov.au/tasbiosecurityawards

(22/11/2024)
Categories: Cropping; Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 33/2024 - Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards Nominations Extended

​Biosecurity Tasmania has extended the nomination window for the 2024 Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards. Nominations will now close on Monday 30 September 2024. This extended nomination period ensures that everyone has the chance to nominate an individual or business that has significantly contributed to the biosecurity system in Tasmania.

The awards spotlight outstanding biosecurity projects and initiatives, and represent a platform to reinforce, recognise and promote positive biosecurity behavioural change in our industries and the Tasmanian community. They are an opportunity to recognise those in our communities and industries who have gone above and beyond to help protect our environment, primary industries and economy.

To make a nomination, visit www.nre.tas.gov.au/tasbiosecurityawards before Monday 30 September.​

(3/9/2024)
Categories: Cropping; Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 32/2024 - Celebrating the Inaugural National Biosecurity Week

​Australia’s first National Biosecurity Week is on from 26–30 August 2024.

National Biosecurity Week aims to highlight the collaborative efforts of government, industry and the community to safeguard Australia. It’s an opportunity to raise biosecurity awareness and encourage the adoption of good biosecurity practices.

National Biosecurity Week, which will be held in the last week of August each year, will also provide a valuable educational platform with the aim of fostering a culture of shared responsibility and proactive biosecurity management.

For more information and to find out what events are happening during National Biosecurity Week, or to register your own event no matter how big or small, visit https://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/national-biosecurity-week/

Biosecurity Tasmania works to protect Tasmania’s public health and wellbeing, primary industries and environment, from the negative impacts of pests, weeds and diseases. Biosecurity is a shared responsibility though, and we all have a role to play in protecting the state from biosecurity threats. It’s our general biosecurity duty.

If you know a biosecurity champion that deserves recognition, don’t forget to nominate them for a Tasmanian Biosecurity Award! The Awards acknowledge individuals, groups and organisations for their significant contribution to biosecurity in Tasmania. Nominations close 31 August 2024. To find out more, or to submit a nomination visit https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/tasmanian-biosecurity-awards

Our way of life is worth protecting. Biosecurity starts with you.

(28/8/2024)
Categories: Cropping; Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife; Information for Bass Strait Islands;

Biosecurity Advisory 30/2024 - Nominations for the 2024 Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards close on 31 August

​There are only two weeks left to submit your nominations for the 2024 Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards. The awards recognise outstanding biosecurity projects and represent a platform to reinforce, recognise and promote positive biosecurity behavioural change in the industry and community.

This is an opportunity to recognise those in our communities and industries who have gone above and beyond to help protect our future.

Biosecurity is foundational to the economic, social, and environmental assets of Tasmania and we all share the benefits of our strong biosecurity system. It underpins our multi-billion-dollar agri-food production and export industries, and protects our unique natural wilderness areas that have immeasurable value to all Tasmanians and also visitors to our state.

The awards comprise of two categories, one being the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award and the other the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award.

Last year the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award was won by Robyn Lewis and the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award by Nic Hansen.

Robyn won for her outstanding management of biosecurity threats to the Milford Forest property, an important ecological site for a number of endemic and endangered species.

Nic was recognised for his contribution and assistance during the 2018 fruit fly incursion in Tasmania and the successful emergency response and eradication that followed.

If you or someone you know has personally contributed towards improving biosecurity in Tasmania, or if they are part of an organisation or group, you can place a nomination today.

More information about the awards and nominations can be found at www.nre.tas.gov.au/tasbiosecurityaward​

(20/8/2024)
Categories: Cropping; Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 24/2024 - Nominations for the 2024 Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards are now open

​​The awards recognise outstanding biosecurity projects and represent a platform to reinforce, recognise and promote positive biosecurity behavioural change in the industry and community.

This is an opportunity to recognise those in our communities and industries who have gone above and beyond to help protect our future.

Biosecurity is foundational to the economic, social, and environmental assets of Tasmania and we all share the benefits of our strong biosecurity system.

It underpins our multi-billion-dollar agri-food production and export industries, and protects our unique natural wilderness areas that have immeasurable value to all Tasmanians and also visitors to our state.

The awards comprise of two categories, one being the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award and the other the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award.

Last year the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award was won by Robyn Lewis and the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award by Nic Hansen.

Robyn won for her outstanding management of biosecurity threats to the Milford Forest property, an important ecological site for a number of endemic and endangered species.

Nic was recognised for his contribution and assistance during the 2018 fruit fly incursion in Tasmania and the successful emergency response and eradication that followed.

If you or someone you know has personally contributed towards improving biosecurity in Tasmania, or if they are part of an organisation or group, you can place a nomination today.

More information about the awards and nominations can be found at www.nre.tas.gov.au/tasbiosecurityaward

(5/7/2024)
Categories: Horticulture; Cropping; Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 19/2024 – Renewing the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy - There’s still time to have your say!

​The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is still inviting written submissions on the renewal of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS). Submissions close on Sunday 30 June at 4pm, AEST.

A renewed AAWS will establish Australia’s commitment to modern, sustainable, evidence and science-based welfare practices.

Your views are important. Share your views and insights on the challenges and opportunities for animal welfare in Australia through www.agriculture.gov.au/haveyoursay/aaws. 

There will be further consultation opportunities over the next 3 years as the strategy is developed. If you would like to receive updates on the progress of consultation, you can subscribe for AAWS notifications through the Have Your Say page, linked above. 

Find out more about the strategy on DAFF’s website www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/animal/welfare/aaws. 

(13/6/2024)
Categories: Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Wildlife;

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