The National Bee Pest Surveillance Program (NBPSP) is meant to act as an early warning system to detect new incursions of exotic bee pests and pest bees. The program involves a range of surveillance activities conducted at sea and airports throughout Australia considered to be the most likely entry points for exotic bee pests and pest bees.
Under the NBPSP, the Port of Bell Bay is considered to be Tasmania's highest risk port. Live hives at Bell Bay are tested every six weeks for the presence of exotic pests and pest bees. The program also includes surveillance of catchboxes across the state.
In addition to the NBPSP-funded hive surveillance performed at Bell Bay, the Tasmanian government provides in-kind contributions to the program by way of regular hive surveillance at the Ports of Hobart, Burnie, and Devonport.