Changes

The department has updated the content of the ‘Bony fish and cephalopods for bait or fish food’ BICON case, specifically the ‘Bony fish (not specified species) from all countries (including consignments mixed with cephalopods)’ pathway.

Importers are now able to apply for an import permit for these goods by applying for a standard import permit. The standard import permit includes conditions requiring the government competent authority in the country of export to verify:

1. The species of fish and cephalopods (scientific name) that are contained in the consignment.
2. That the fish and any cephalopods were wild caught and not grown or harvested in an aquaculture system at any stage.
3. That the consignment does not contain fish or cephalopod species other than those identified above.
4. That the fish were processed in premises (including vessels/refrigerated warehouses) approved by and under the control of the government competent authority.
5. That the fish are free from visible lesions associated with infectious disease.
6. That the fish were inspected under the supervision of the competent authority and/or systems approved by the competent authority.
7. That the consignment does not contain crustaceans and molluscs or materials of crustacean or molluscan origin.

The species of bony fish in the consignment must be listed on the list of wild caught, unrestricted bony fish approved for aquaculture and bait use.

These conditions mitigate biosecurity risks associated with imported wild caught, unrestricted bony fish to a level consistent with Australia’s Appropriate Level of Protection (as defined under the Biosecurity Act 2015).

Background:
Updates to case content will improve the experience for users of the department's BICON database.

Who does this alert affect:
Departmental staff and Australian importers of wild caught, unrestricted bony fish.

Further information:
Please contact the department on 1800 900 090 (prompt 1, prompt 1) or via email at imports@agriculture.gov.au.