The Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) has announced funding for the modification of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) that work underwater.
The aim is to make the ROVs fit-for-purpose for biosecurity surveillance and to develop training material for biosecurity personnel.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud said marine pests could get into Australia by catching a ride on ships or other vessels coming here.
“Biosecurity Agencies around Australia are already adopting ROVs as a surveillance tool and uptake continues to grow,” Mr Littleproud said.
“ROVs are also being used by the aquaculture industry, port operators and marine researchers.”
He said under the funding new features had been added to the ROVs, such as high resolution video cameras, live streaming, sonar, and sample collection devices.
“These additions transform ROVs into powerful biosecurity surveillance tools critical to stop pests that could devastate Australian fisheries, aquaculture and our environment,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The enhanced ROV models can quickly detect pests for relatively low cost, allowing rapid diagnosis and action to be taken.”
He said exotic underwater pests that should be kept out of Australia included the invasive Asian green mussel that could heavily foul man-made structures in ports after arriving by boat, as well as out-competing or introducing disease to native species.
