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Bugs, beagles and ballast - a day in the life of quarantine
3 May 2001
With around 3000 ships bringing more than four million tonnes of imported goods into the Port of Newcastle each year - as well as discharging about 16 million tonnes of ballast water - quarantine obviously plays a major role in the region, according to AQIS Newcastle's Supervising Inspector, Glenn Smith.
Glenn was welcoming some 550-school students from Newcastle and the Hunter region at a special quarantine open day at the Newcastle Regional Museum
"Today's event will give these students a chance to find out first-hand about the importance of quarantine to their local economy - and to Australia," Glenn said.
"Port activities are integral to the local economy and its prosperity, and as the front line of Australia's defence against exotic pests and diseases, quarantine is integral to port activities. With the world's pests and diseases on our doorstep it's vital that future generations of Australians understand and protect our environmental and economic legacy," Glenn said.
The open day today has also provided an opportunity for the local shipping industry to talk to AQIS about Australia's new mandatory ballast water requirements, which come into effect on 1 July to help protect Australia's marine environment from invasive exotic marine species entering Australia via ballast water.
"The last things we want in the port are marine pests such as northern Pacific seastar or toxic species of algae damaging our local marine environment and threatening fisheries, aquaculture and tourism industries, and public health," Glenn said.
Highlights of the open day - part of National Quarantine Week 2001 - include demonstrations of quarantine detector dogs and hands-on activities for the students such as microscopic investigation of exotic insects, a display of weird and wonderful seized items and the chance to carry out a quarantine inspection of a shipping container.
"Quarantine Week is about promoting industry and community awareness of why quarantine is vital to protecting Australia's way of life. It's about what's at stake, environmentally, economically and socially if exotic pests or diseases became established in Australia," Mr Smith said.
National Quarantine Week, 30 April - 6 May
For further information:
Contact: Angela Sharpe
Mobile: 0407 250 716
or
Contact: Glenn Smith
Mobile: 0407 355 103
Vision and interview opportunities: Newcastle Regional Museum, 10am - 2pm