AquaSol was retained by King & Wood Mallesons, acting for the Commonwealth of Australia, to provide independent aquaculture biosecurity expertise in relation to legal proceedings following the 2016 outbreak of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in Queensland.

The engagement involved technical analysis of disease transmission, farm-level biosecurity practices, and risk management measures across affected aquaculture operations in the Logan River and Moreton Bay regions.

Project Scope

AquaSol’s biosecurity expert supported matters involving Gold Coast Marine Aquaculture Pty Ltd and Tweed Bait Pty Ltd, focusing on:

• Analysis of WSSV disease pathways and transmission routes
• Assessment of aquaculture biosecurity protocols and compliance
• Evaluation of farm-level risk management and operational practices
• Independent technical input to support legal and regulatory proceedings
• Review of outbreak response and containment measures

Project Outcome

• Delivered independent expert biosecurity analysis relating to a major shrimp disease outbreak
• Supported legal counsel in complex regulatory and dispute proceedings
• Provided defensible technical opinions on disease pathways and biosecurity controls
• Reinforced decision-making with aquaculture-specific expertise grounded in real-world disease management

Why This Matters

Disease outbreaks such as White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) represent one of the most significant risks in global shrimp aquaculture, with major financial, operational, and regulatory implications.

This project demonstrates:

• The importance of robust aquaculture biosecurity systems
• The role of independent expert witnesses in complex legal and regulatory cases
• How technical expertise can clarify responsibility, risk, and mitigation strategies in high-stakes environments