White spot virus killing wild Australian prawns and crabs, with some experts saying ‘it is here to stay’

The exotic white spot disease that devastated South-East Queensland prawn farms is now killing wild prawns and small crabs around the Logan River and has become widespread in parts of Moreton Bay, including Deception Bay.

In a survey finalised for the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation late last year, Dr Ben Diggles discovered dead banana prawns and small crabs in waterways surrounding the Logan river — and live virus in small crustacean species in the marine food chain, well away from the original incursion.

“We looked at a whole…