The National Bee Pest Surveillance Program is an early warning system to detect new incursions of exotic bee pests and pest bees. The program involves a range of surveillance methods conducted at sea and airports throughout Australia considered to be the most likely entry points for 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 standard and remote 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.
Further information:
National Bee Pest Surveillance Program