White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) were detected by scientists in wild-caught school prawns from the inshore ocean area off the Richmond River estuary near Ballina in May 2024.
The NSW government’s biosecurity response arrangements were activated and established a control zone prohibiting the movement of raw product, including all decapod crustaceans and polychaete worms, but excluding high value lobster, crabs and bugs destined for human consumption, from rivers near Ballina and just offshore.
The NSW long-term surveillance plan to seek proof-of-freedom, in consultation with industry, commenced in 2023 for the Clarence River, and in October 2024 for the Evans and Richmond Rivers.
On Friday 4 April 2025, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) received confirmation of positive white spot results from the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), from wild school prawns sampled from the Clarence River offshore area.
Further surveillance at Evans and Richmond River offshore areas returned preliminary positive results at the DPIRD Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute. Confirmatory testing is being completed at ACDP, with results due to be finalised this week.
Proof of Freedom
Proof of Freedom is a two-year process to establish freedom from disease for trade purposes, with the plan enabling prawn fishers and prawn farms to sell raw prawns back into domestic markets if no further detections are made.
There is currently a Clarence River control order preventing the sale of uncooked (green) school prawns – including those farmed from the area, and those harvested by the Estuary Prawn Trawl Clarence River and Estuary General Prawn Region 2 fishers until 9 June 2025. A zoning amendment to extend the northern boundary of the control zone is being progressed, to encompass this northern detection.
To date, White Spot has not been detected in the Clarence and Richmond Rivers during Proof of Freedom testing: positives are from oceanic areas.
DPIRD Executive Director Biosecurity and Food Safety Lisa Szabo said teams are working with industry on the next steps for white spot management.
‘Our teams, working with industry, have been undertaking a rigorous sampling regime for white spot to pursue a proof of freedom determination for each of these areas.
‘Unfortunately, these recent results indicate the presence of white spot in wild populations of school prawns within the nearshore ocean waters of the Clarence River Control Zone in an area outside the mouth of the river system, and in an area to the north of the control zone.
‘We will continue to work with and support our industry partners as we work through the next steps for white spot management with them and with the national Aquatic Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease.’
White Spot poses no threat to human health and NSW prawns remain safe for human consumption. NSW prawns are available from local seafood suppliers.
More information on White Spot is available from the NSW DPIRD website.
If you require mental health support please contact:
24/7 NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 or Lifeline on 13 11 14
Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) has a range of information services for individuals and communities to link people to the help they need. Your local coordinators in Northern NSW are:
CLARENCE REGION
Samantha Osborne: [email protected] or 0402 892 642
BALLINA REGION
Steve Carrigg: [email protected] or 0477 368 183
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