Moving and stocking live aquatic organisms

Guidelines for Assessing Translocations of Live Aquatic Organisms in Victoria

The deliberate human-assisted movement of live aquatic organisms is known as translocation.

The translocation of live aquatic organisms occurs for various reasons including commercial farming, research, public water stocking, recreation, display and other purposes.

Translocation 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 may be extremely difficult and often impossible.

Guidelines have been developed to provide a risk assessment and administrative framework against which to assess proposals to move 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).

See the Guidelines for Assessing Translocations of Live Aquatic Organisms in Victoria.

Protocols

DPI has developed Protocols for the most common types of translocation. Each Protocol includes control measures to achieve effective risk management for those translocation activities.

Does your proposed translocation fit under one of these Protocols?

Protocol for the Translocation of Fish in Victorian Inland Public Waters

Victorian Abalone Aquaculture Translocation Protocol

Abalone Aquaculture Biosecurity Protocol Audit Guidelines

Victorian Protocol for the Translocation of Blue Mussels

Victorian Protocol for the Translocation of Aquatic Animals to Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

Victorian Protocol for the Translocation of Eels

Victorian Translocation Protocol for Commercial Freshwater Open Aquaculture Systems on Private Land

Translocations that conform to one of the Protocols above can be considered and approved without the need for a full risk assessment.

How to apply

Step 1: Initial Screening Application form

The Initial Screening Application (Word 245KB) is used to assess the proposed translocation and determine whether a full risk assessment is required. Email your form to Fish.Translocations@dpi.vic.gov.au

Step 2 (if advised by Fisheries Victoria): Risk Assessment form

The Risk Assessment Proforma (Word 3MB) should only be completed if an Initial Screening Application has been submitted and assessed by Fisheries Victoria.

Fish in farm dams

If you would like to stock your farm dam, please visit the Fish in Farm Dams webpage for information.