Western Gulf of Carpentaria - exotic vector surveillance April - May 2006

Abstract

From April-May 2006 the Northern Territory (NT) Medical Entomology unit (ME) and the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS),in association with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) embarked on a quarantine surveillance operation along the western coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria and the northern NT coast.The operational objectives were to investigate and report on the logistical difficulties encountered during the survey with a view to future operations,establish links with local outstations and communities, and to educate communities on the importance of recognising and reporting a quarantine risk,survey and collect samples from any potential landing sites of international foreign fishing vessels and to engage with local indigenous ranger groups.