Decontaminating fishing equipment and vessels
Under Queensland legislation, you have a general biosecurity obligation to minimise the contamination of waterways.
Cleaning and decontaminating fishing equipment and vessels is vital to preventing the spread of marine pests and diseases through contaminated:
- boats
- clothing
- vehicles
- equipment.
Marine biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility.
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Minimise the spread of pests and diseases
- Position vessels properly by using a trailer or slipway whenever possible.
- Work in a suitable location, ensuring that wash-down water and debris do not drain into waterways or stormwater systems.
- Remove and empty nets, ropes, buckets, and other equipment before cleaning.
- Scrape off mud, weed and other heavy build-up of debris to allow cleaning agents to work effectively.
Routine cleaning
When moving between waterways, always clean your equipment and vessels thoroughly:
- remove mud, weed and debris from vessels, equipment, clothing and footwear
- empty and clean all storage areas, including bins, buckets and live wells
- rinse gear thoroughly and allow it to dry completely before storage or travel
- dispose of debris and unused bait in bins—never dump them into waterways.
Decontaminating your vessel and equipment
Decontaminating your equipment and vessels:
- prevents the introduction and spread of pests and diseases, such as white spot disease (WSD).
- supports eradication or containment efforts in movement regulated areas.
These steps are recommended for all fishing equipment and vessels leaving the movement regulated areas for extended periods.
Step 1: Remove organic material
- Scrape, brush, or pressure-clean all surfaces and equipment.
- Pay special attention to nets and gear that may hold organic material, such as prawn or crab residues.
Step 2: Disinfect
- Apply a disinfectant solution to all surfaces for at least 10 minutes.
- If using benzalkonium chloride, prepare a solution at 75–100 mg/L.
- Always use chemicals safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 3: Rinse and dry
- Rinse external surfaces with fresh water.
- Dry all items thoroughly in direct sunlight.
Step 4: Clean internal areas
- Vacuum cabin areas to remove debris.
- Wipe floors, benchtops and seating with a disinfectant solution.
Step 5: Record the clean-down
- Note the date of disinfection for your records.
Yes, all of your fishing gear including cast nets, trawl nets, crab pots and yabby pumps can be used in the movement control area, but remember to wash them properly before you leave.
So, if you’re planning a fishing trip North of Caloundra, or south to New South Wales, just remember to wash them before you go.
Firstly, make sure your gear is washed and mostly clean.
his will probably involve using a brush to get out any little bits of prawns or crab legs that could get stuck in your net.
Then, you need to disinfect your gear. To do this, mix your disinfectant solution to the required concentration. This is 75-100mg/L of benzalkonium chloride. There’s many brands that list this as their active ingredient.
You’ll need to check the concentration of yours and mix to our recommended strength. I just got this one from my local hardware store and to mix it, I’ve added 10mls to 10 litres of water. But be sure to check the one you choose and of course, always ensure you follow the manufacture’s safety guide.
There are several different methods you might like to use to clear your gear. For smaller items, you might just want to dunk them in a bucket, but for larger items, you might want to use a sponge or simply spray. Then let them sit for a few minutes, let the disinfectant do its work. Rinse your gear well using fresh water and then simply let them dry in the sun.