Vessel update
A Department of Agriculture and Water Resources biosecurity officer recently detected a number of suspected Brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) during the discharge of cargo at an Australian port.
The following actions were taken to manage the risk:
- Vessel discharge operations were ceased pending further inspection and assessment.
- The vessel was directed for thermal py-fogging prior to inspection by the department.
- Both dead and alive stink bugs (BMSB and other exotic stink bugs) were detected.
- A small amount of cargo had been discharged before vessel operations ceased. This cargo has been directed for onshore treatment with an approved BMSB treatment.
- The vessel has been directed to anchor at sea pending a treatment plan to be provided to the department for consideration and approval.
- If a treatment plan is not approved by the department, the vessel and its remaining cargo will be directed for export from Australian territory.
- It should be noted that much of the cargo on board originated from China, Japan and Korea, and the vessel was subject to heightened vessel surveillance for BMSB.
The department continues to review any BMSB detections and the risk pathways to adjust import measures as needed. Encourage your members to subscribe to our Import Industry Advice Notices to keep informed on changes to import requirements, including updates on BMSB seasonal measures.
We encourage industry stakeholders to continue to engage with their supply chain partners to ensure that all cargo is compliant and free from live BMSB.