Guidelines for Assessing Translocations of Live Aquatic Organisms in Victoria

"translocation: a translocation is the deliberate human-assisted movement of live aquatic organisms"

The translocation of live aquatic organisms into and within Victoria has the potential to threaten the biodiversity and ecological integrity of Victoria's freshwater, estuarine and marine systems. These threats have flow-on consequences, potentially affecting the economic benefits provided by aquaculture, recreational and commercial fishing; domestic and international shipping; and the social and tourism benefits of being able to enjoy waters and foods free of pathogens and diseases.

Once introduced to the wild, a translocated species may establish a viable breeding population. In the event that this occurs and the species becomes a pest, control or elimination of it may be extremely difficult, and often impossible.

The Guidelines for Assessing Translocations of Live Aquatic Organisms in Victoria has been developed to provide a risk assessment and administrative framework against which to asses proposals to translocate live aquatic organisms into and within Victoria. The Guidelines establish a transparent basis by which Victoria will meet the requirements of the National Policy for the Translocation of Live Aquatic Organisms (1999).

Guidelines (PDF 440kb)

Fisheries Note (PDF 94kb)

Protocols
To support the implementation of the Guidelines, DPI has developed Protocols for the most common types of translocation (e.g. public waters & abalone translocations). A Protocol identifies the most common translocation activitities within a translocation type and proposes control measures to achieve effective risk management for those translocation activities.

Protocols will allow individual translocations, which conform to the protocol, to be considered and approved without the need for a full risk assessment.

Protocol for the Translocation of Fish in Victorian Inland Public Waters	(PDF 808kb)
Victorian Abalone Aquaculture Translocation Protocol	(PDF 1,209kb)
Abalone Aquaculture Biosecurity Protocol Audit Guidelines	(PDF 801kb)
Victorian Protocol for the Translocation of Blue Mussels	(PDF 1,227 kb)
Victorian Protocol for the Translocation of Aquatic Animals to Recirculating Aquaculture Systems	(PDF 478kb)
Victorian Protocol for the Translocation of Eels	(PDF 1,205kb)

Application forms
If the translocation is for non-commercial purposes to a private farm dam, do not fill out the Initial Screening Application form. You should contact your nearest regional office and request a Fish in Farm Dams application. Contact the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 for your nearest regional office.

Initial Screening Application
The Initial Screening Application is used to assess the proposed translocation and determine whether a full risk assessment is required.

(Word 72kb)


Risk Assessment Proforma
The Risk Assessment Proforma should only be completed if an Initial Screening Application has been submitted and assessed by Fisheries Victoria.

(Word 176kb)


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