VIBRIO
There has been a rise in the incidence of illness occurring due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) in seafood. To address this, in early 2021 SafeFish commissioned a three-part webinar series to educate its stakeholders on the different types of Vibrios that can cause illness, possible management options for controlling these bacteria in Australia, and what the potential next steps for Australia could/should be to deal with this emerging issue.
Session 1: Introduction to Vibrios, science and mitigation strategies
Presenter:
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Dr. Dorothy Jean McCoubrey (Dorothy-Jean & Associates)
Session 2: Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) Best Management Practices
Presenters:
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Dr. Dorothy Jean McCoubrey (Dorothy-Jean & Associates)
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Mr. Owen Hunt (Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment, Tasmania)
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Mr. Dan Roden (Tas Cleanwater Oysters)
Session 3: Options for control policies
Presenters:
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Dr. Dorothy Jean McCoubrey (Dorothy-Jean & Associates)
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Mr. Bill Dewey (Taylors Shellfish Farms, Shelton Washington, US)
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Dr. Enrico Buenaventura (Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada)
SAFEFISH RESOURCES
SafeFish provides technical advice to support Australia's seafood trade. It does this by bringing together experts in food safety and hygiene to work with the industry and regulators to agree and prioritise technical issues impacting on free and fair market access fir Australian seafood. Vibrio is an ongoing area of focus for the organisation.
Some noteworthy resources are linked below, however growers are encouraged to regularly visit the SafeFish webiste - Vibrios in Seafood webpage for more information.
In 2022, SafeFish and ASQAAC also co-hosted a Vibrio science day in Adelaide to bring together researchers and stakeholders with an interest in vibrio research. There were a wide range of presentations on environmental & post-harvest research, finishing with a panel discussion delving into the gaps and next steps. Recordings of the presentations are available here, or by clicking on the image below.
JURISDICTIONAL INFORMATION
A Guide for Tasmanian Shellfish Growers: Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
A best practice guide for Tasmanian oyster growers. Developed through Oysters Tasmania.
Click here, or on the image, to download.
South Australian Growers
There is also a South Australia Addendum to this guide. The addendum outlines the elements which are not relevant in South Australia, and provides some additional considerations for SA growers.
Click here, or on the image, to download.
NSW Growers
Following elevated water temperatures in early 2024, the NSW Food Authority also provided advice to oyster farmers on how to minimise vibrio risk.
Click here, or on the image, to download.
