Quarantine Methods-Keeping Them Out Topic 5-Lesson 1

Introduction Over the past 200 years a number of plants and animals have been accidently introduced into Australia. They have entered the country as passengers on canoes, sailing ships and airplanes. As the methods of transport have changed so has the opportunity for this to happen.

How do they get in? Australia receives hundreds of commercial airplanes each day. This includes international, military and private flights. We also receive passenger and cargo ships, foreign yachts, fishing vessels and an increasing number of refugee boats.

How do they get in? As the arrival of foreign vessels both by air and water increases so does the chances of the arrival of introduced species. So what have we done to combat this?

Quarantine Methods The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) check all items entering the country at mail-handling centres, container terminals and airports for the presence of any restricted materials.

Quarantine Methods All mail coming into the country is checked by Rapiscan X-ray equipment and detector dog teams. The AQIS team intercepts around 130,000 items of concern which are confiscated or returned to their country f origin each year.

Quarantine Methods The AQIS detector dogs are all trained to detect and respond to fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh and processed meat, plant materials, eggs, birds, reptiles and bees. Some are also trained to detect soil, seeds and dairy products. What about illicit drugs?

Quarantine Methods If anyone wants to buy and import seeds, plants, animals or timber products via the internet need to check with AQIS to find out if the item is prohibited. Permits are also required for certain species.

Quarantine Methods All incoming ship and airline passengers must fill out a declaration stating whether they are carrying any range of materials and whether they have been on farms or agricultural areas.

Quarantine Methods Between 1998 and 1999 Australia saw the arrival of 7.5 million international visitors, 56,000 first port aircraft, 2.5 million freight containers, commercial vessels and 160 million articles of mail. They have a HUGE job to protect our country every day of the year.

Case Study: Ballast-water introductions The ballast of ships has been and continues to be a major source of accidental introductions. Thousands of tonnes of sea water can be pumped into and out of ships. About 150 million tonnes of ballast water is emptied into Australian oceans by 10,000 ships each year.

Case Study: Ballast-water introductions A study of the ballast water in 23 bulk carriers that entered three Australian ports from Japan identified organisms belonging to 67 different species, some of which were present in over 80% of the vessels. More than 250 introduced marine species have been discovered in Australian waters.

Case Study: Ballast-water introductions Some of the most significant ballast water intorductions include: Dinoflagellate (Gymodinium catenatum) Northern Pacific Sea Star (Asterias amurensis) Japanese kelp (Undaria pinnatifida) New Zealand sea star (Patiriella regularis) Eastern fan worm (Sabella spallanzanii) Vibrio Cholerae bacteria

Case Study: Ballast-water introductions AQIS has developed and introduced ballast-water management guidelines for the shipping industry. The control of balast water falls into three categories: Prevention of intake of organisms during the loading of ballast water. Removal of organisms before discharge of ballast Non-discharge of ballast Treatment of ballast water before discharge

Case Study: Ballast-water introductions Activity Complete Activity 4.16 pg 221 HSC Spotlight Text together

Homework Read pages HSC Spotlight Text Update electronic vocabulary Complete ‘To Think About’ pg Complete DOT Points

Pop Quiz Topic 5-Lesson 2

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