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Quarantine's got its eyes on the Whitsundays
9 August 2006
Yachts visiting the Mackay-Whitsunday region for this season’s international yacht races will be welcomed by Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) officers from Mackay and Brisbane . . . and their vessels will be subject to careful checks to make sure they’re not carrying any pest or disease risks to Australia.
The AQIS patrol vessel Al Graham from Mackay and the Brisbane-based Al Jordan will take to the waters to raise awareness of quarantine risks, check ships’ stores and animals on board, and promote Australia’s soon to be mandatory biofouling requirements.
An estimated 250 introduced marine species are already established in Australian ports and waters. AQIS is developing systems to regulate fouling on internationally vessels to protect Australia from new incursions —new requirements will come into effect in early 2007 when the hulls of all vessels will be inspected on arrival in Australia.
AQIS Mackay Manager Stephen Tognolini says August to October is the busiest time of year for yachting in the Whitsundays.
“With so many yachts in one place, this operation gives us a unique chance to let yachties know about the risks to Australia from biofouling, plant and animal products,” Steve says.
Mackay is becoming a popular first port of call for international yachts, with up to 40 vessels cleared by AQIS each year.
Media contact:
Maryanne Kepui, AQIS Public Relations (07) 3246 8703, 0407 138 109
Interviews: Available on request
Vision opportunities: AQIS officers and Quarantine boat at Abel Point Marina; and AQIS officers using bio-fouling camera equipment.
Yachts visiting the Mackay-Whitsunday region for this season’s international yacht races will be welcomed by Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) officers from Mackay and Brisbane . . . and their vessels will be subject to careful checks to make sure they’re not carrying any pest or disease risks to Australia.
The AQIS patrol vessel Al Graham from Mackay and the Brisbane-based Al Jordan will take to the waters to raise awareness of quarantine risks, check ships’ stores and animals on board, and promote Australia’s soon to be mandatory biofouling requirements.
An estimated 250 introduced marine species are already established in Australian ports and waters. AQIS is developing systems to regulate fouling on internationally vessels to protect Australia from new incursions —new requirements will come into effect in early 2007 when the hulls of all vessels will be inspected on arrival in Australia.
AQIS Mackay Manager Stephen Tognolini says August to October is the busiest time of year for yachting in the Whitsundays.
“With so many yachts in one place, this operation gives us a unique chance to let yachties know about the risks to Australia from biofouling, plant and animal products,” Steve says.
Mackay is becoming a popular first port of call for international yachts, with up to 40 vessels cleared by AQIS each year.
Media contact:
Maryanne Kepui, AQIS Public Relations (07) 3246 8703, 0407 138 109
Interviews: Available on request
Vision opportunities: AQIS officers and Quarantine boat at Abel Point Marina; and AQIS officers using bio-fouling camera equipment.