Risk Management Proposal  
 
Specified Zoo Crabs   
ZOOCRABS.SPE  
 
 
 
 
[Document Date]  Risk Management Proposal:  Specified Zoo Crabs  [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 1 Disclaimer  
This risk management proposal does not constitute, and should not be regarded as, legal advice. While every 
effort has been made to ensure the information in this document is accurate, the Ministry for Primary Industries 
does not accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any error of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion 
that may be p resent, however it may have occurred.  
© Crown Copyright - Ministry for Primary Industries  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contact for further information : 
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Animal Imports  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
Email: animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz  
Telephone:  04 890 0134  
  Risk Management Proposal:  Specified Zoo Crabs  [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 2  
Contents  
1 Purpose  3 
2 Background  3 
3 Objective  3 
4 Options assessment  3 
5 Updates  4 
5.1 New issue 2022  4 
6 General requirements for all importations of zoo crabs  4 
6.1 Commodity definition  4 
6.2 General requirements  4 
7 Recommendations for identified risk organisms  5 
7.1 White spot syndrome (WSS) virus  5 
7.2 Hematodinium spp. and Hematodinium -like spp.  6 
7.3 Exotic holotrich ciliates  7 
7.4 Angiostrongylus cantonensis  8 
7.5 Epicaridean isopods  9 
7.6 Rhizocephalan barnacles  10 
Appendix 1 – Document History  12 
 
  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 3 1 Purpose  
(1) The purpose of this document is to:  
a) Present risks associated with zoo crabs.  
b) Show how options for the management of risk o rganisms have been assessed.  
c) Provide recommendations for import requirements.  
2 Background  
(1) Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s  Aquarium submitted a request for the development of an import health standard 
for live Japanese spider crabs  (Macrocheira kaempferi ) from Japan , and coconut crabs  (Birgus latro ), red 
crabs  (Gecarcoidea natalis ) and blue crabs  (Discoplax celeste ) from Chri stmas Island -Australia  (here on 
collectively referred to as  zoo crabs ), to be held in a n MPI approved  zoo containment facility . 
(2) Zoo crabs are  considered  a risk commodity, with the potential to harbour exotic viral and bacterial 
diseases , and other organisms . In February 2021 , the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) completed a 
draft Import  Risk Analysis  (IRA) for  Live Japanese Spider Crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) from Japan; 
Coconut Crab (Birgus latro), Christmas Island Red Crab (Gecarcoidea natalis) or Christmas Island Blue 
Crab (Discoplax  celeste) from Christmas Island for Display in Public Aquariums and Zoological 
Institutions , which considers the 2019 version of the Aquatic Animal Health Code  (the Code ). In October 
2021  work commenced on developing a n import health standard (IHS) for  zoo crabs based on that 
analysis.  
(3) Where  possible, measures for diseases in this Risk Management Proposal  (RMP)  are aligned with the 
measures recommended in the 2021 Code . Where there are differences, these are justified within this 
RMP.  In the case of non -OIE listed diseases, the measures proposed are those considered to effectively 
meet New Zealand’s appropriate level of protection.  
(4) Of all the crab species covered by this RMP, only the Japanese spider crab  (M. kaempferi ) has been 
approv ed (APP202739 ) by the Environmental Protection Authority  (EPA) for  containment in New Zealand . 
The EPA approval lists controls  designed to prevent the establishment of feral populations of M. 
kaempferi .  
(5) In accordance with MPI processes, the IHS contains generic import requirements. These requirements 
manage the biosecuri ty risk of importing  zoo crabs .  
(6) A model  certificat e for trade in  zoo crabs  is included in Part 3  of the IHS . 
3 Objective  
(1) The objective is to effectively manage biosecurity risks associated with the import of  zoo crabs  consistent 
with New Zealand’s domestic legislation and international obligations.  
4 Options assessment  
(1) The World Trade Organi zation’s Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 
(the SPS Agreement), Article 3.3, requires that risk management measures which provide a level of 
protection greater than provided by international standards may be imposed only when they can be 
scientifically justified on the basis of a risk assessment.  
(2) For a detailed analysis of hazards and their risks please refer to the suppo rting documents , Import Risk 
Analysis  (IRA) for Live Japanese Spider Crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) from Japan; Coconut Crab (Birgus 
latro), Christmas Island Red Crab (Gecarcoidea natalis) or Chr istmas Island Blue Crab (Discoplax celeste) 
from Christmas Island for Display in Public Aquariums and Zoological Institutions , which contains the 
relevant risk assessment and an analysis of management options for each risk organism.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 4 (3) Of the potential hazards, the IRA concluded that risk management measures were justified for the 
following hazards in imported  zoo crabs:  
a) White spot syndrome virus (WSSV)  
b) Hematodinium spp. and Hematodinium -like spp.  
c) Exotic holotrich ciliates  
d) Angiostrongylu s cantonensis  
e) Epicaridean isopods  
f) Rhizocephalan barnacles  
5 Updates  
(1) Updates may either ; supplement or override previous clauses in the recommendation sections of this RMP  
or provide further information to relevant commodities . 
5.1 New issue  2022  
(1) No updates to declare.  
6 General requirements for all import ations  of zoo crabs  
6.1 Commodity definition  
(1) For the purposes of the IHS, t he following zoo crab species are eligible for import : 
a) Japanese spider crab  (Macrocheira kaempferi ) from Japan  
b) Coconut/robber crab  (Birgus latro ) from Christmas Island -Australia  
c) Red crab  (Gecarcoidea natalis ) from Christmas Island -Australia  
d) Blue crab  (Discoplax celeste ) from Christmas Island -Australia  
(2) The commodity definition excludes the importation of ovigerous (berried) females.  
(3) The imported  zoo crabs are  for display in an MPI approved zoo containment facility.   
6.2 General requirements   
(1) The Import Risk Analysis  made several recommendat ions for risk mitigation that are common across all 
the risk organisms.  Some of the recommendations from the Import Risk Analysis  are not consistent with 
enabling the zoo crabs to be used for zoo display, and have b een altered to align with zoo operations, 
ensuring that biosecurity outcomes are still met. These general risk recommendations are described 
further in Part 7: Recommenda tions for Identified Risk Organisms , and require that the following general 
biosecurity measures are adopted : 
a) The zoo crabs must be sourced from healthy colonies with individual crabs showing no signs  of 
illness at the time of collection.  
b) The zoo crabs mus t be held in pre -export isolation (PEI) for 30 days under Competent Authority 
supervision and have a documented health monitoring programme that would be effective in 
monitoring diseases of biosecurity concern.  
c) The zoo crabs  must show no signs of infectiou s or contagious disease during PEI and on the day of 
shipment.  
d) The zoo crabs must not be fed crustaceans  or any product derived from crustaceans.  
e) The zoo crabs must be tagged, or otherwise marked in a way to allow identification of the individual 
crabs.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 5 f) Animals must be transported to a transitional facility and containment facility in New Zealand that 
meets the requirements of the Facility Standard: Zoo Animals Transitional Facilities , dated 
December 2018 and the Standard for Zoo Containment Facilities,  dated April 2018, respectively.  
g) Water management in the transitional facility on arrival in New Zealand prior to release into the 
containment facility must meet the requirements of the Facility Standard:  Ornamental Fish and 
Marine Invertebrates, MPI-STD-ORNAMARI . 
7 Recommendations for identified risk organisms  
(1) The organisms that were considered as hazards are those that could be transmitted by the commodity and 
infect any of New Zealand’s endemic species, or humans in New Zealand , or establish in the environment.  
(2) The following organisms were considered hazards in the commodity and will be considered in this RMP : 
7.1 White spot syndrome  (WSS)  virus  
7.1.1 Risk management options presented in the 2021 IRA  
(1) The IRA determined  that the risk of WSSV via the imported commodity is negligible provided  that the 
following management measures , as per the EPA approval,  are implemented:  
a) No co -habitation takes place between the commodities , except for red crab  (G. natalis ) and blue 
crab (D. celeste ) from Christmas Island, and between the commodities and New Zealand endemic 
spec ies. 
b) Standard biosecurity practices are in place at the facility, including following the EPA (APP202739) 
requirements . 
c) The EPA (APP202739) requirements and MPI guidelines for carcass disposal are followed; and  
d) Wastewater is treated following the EPA (APP2 02739) requirements prior to release into an 
approved municipal sewage system.  
7.1.2 2021  Code  recommendations  
Importation of aquatic animals intended for use in laboratories or zoos from a country, zone or 
compartment not declared free from infection with WSSV  
The 2021 Code recommendations remain unchanged.  
7.1.3 Discussion  
(1) WSS  virus  is a notifiable disease in New Zealand  and an OIE listed disease . While WSS is reported in 
Japan,  it is not known to be present around  Christmas Island. No cases have been documented  in any of 
the crabs  relevant to the IHS.  
(2) Despite a broad host range, WSS is  largely a disease of  penaeid shrimp  grown in aquacultural facilities.  
WSS has led to devastating losses in aquacultural facilities affected by WSS.  In New Zealand, aquaculture 
facilities are  limited to o ne thermally heated freshwater prawn farm near Taupo and a few  inland 
freshwater crayfish farms in the South Island.   
(3) With seasonal and regional exceptions, the average New Zealand co astal marine water temperatures are 
not conducive to WSS replication.  
(4) Oral transmission is considered to be the primary route of infection in natural and cultured populations with 
dead and moribund animals being the principal source of infection . In region s where WSS virus has 
established itself, spread of the virus has been largely attributed to the feeding of infected shrimp to 
cultured shrimp .  
(5) Infected animals will often exhibit clinical signs when stressed (eg. eye -stalk ablation, spawning, moulting, 
changes in salinity, temperature or pH, and during plankton blooms). Transport would cause a significant  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 6 amount of stress and it is therefore expected that an infected animal would demonstrate signs of illness  or 
death.   
(6) Clinical signs may include lethargy and anorexia. A characteristic sign of infection is the development of 
white spots (1mm to 1cm in size) on the exoskeleton. However, this feature is more common in penaeid 
shrimp and not so much in crabs . Disease in c rabs is often sub -clinical.  
(7) The small number of  healthy , wild caught crabs  that would be imported make the likelihood of entry of 
WSS virus  very low .  
(8) Monitoring for signs of WSS  could be carried out during a PEI and  post arrival quarantine ( PAQ ) period of  
30 days  each . Any morbidity or mortalit y during this period could be investigated.  
(9) Water management in the transitional facility on arrival in New Zealand must mitigate against the release 
of WSSV.  
(10) Imported zoo crabs must  be sourced  from regions and colonies with no known outbreaks of WSSV.  
7.1.4 Recommendations  
(1) The following measures are considered to effectively manage the risk assoc iated with WSSV:  
a) Imported zoo crabs must be sourced  from regions  and from colonies  with no known outbreaks of 
WSSV .  
b) Prior to export and o n arrival in New Zealand, the imported  live crabs  are to complete a 30 day 
quarantine at an approved facility.  Clinical s igns relating to WSS  must  be monitored for and 
investigated during PAQ , and infected animals are no t eligible to be authorised into containment.  
7.2 Hematodinium spp. and Hematodinium -like spp.  
7.2.1 Risk management options presented in the 2021 IRA  
(1) The IRA determined that the likelihood of  entry of  Hematodinium spp. and Hematodinium -like species  in 
imported Japanese spider crabs ( M. kaemperi ) is non-negligible . However, the likelihood of susceptible 
crustaceans in New Zealand being exposed to Hematodinium  spp. and Hematodinium -like species is 
assessed to be negligible  provided all of the following management measures  are implemented:  
a) No co -habitation takes place  between the commodi ty and New  Zealand endemic species . 
b) Standard biosecurity practices are in place at the facility, including following the EPA (APP202739) 
requirements . 
c) The EPA (APP202739) requirements and MPI guidelines for carcass disposal are followed; and  
d) Wastewater is treated following the EPA (APP202739) requirements prior to release into an 
approved municipal sewage system.  
7.2.2 Discussion  
(1) Infection with Hem atodinium spp. and Hematodinium -like spp. is not an OIE listed disease.  
(2) Hematodinium spp. are primarily pathogens affecting  commercial, marine , decapod crustaceans.  
However, there have been no documented cases of Hematodinium spp. in deep -water brachyurans  such 
as M. kaempferi . As Hematod inium spp. are unable to complete their life cycle outside a marine 
environment, they are not a hazard in the terrestrial crab speci es B. latro, G. natalis , and D. celeste .  
(3) The lifecycle is not well understood. However, it is thought that susceptible crustacean species become 
infected after moulting, suggesting an integumentary route for infection.  
(4) Infected hosts usually display clinical signs of lethargy and  a hyper -pigmented carapace resulting in a 
“cooked” appearance. However, some infections may be subclinical with clinical signs only present when 
the crustaceans are exposed to physiological or environmental stress. The prevalence of infection in some 
commercial crustacean species populations can make up 70 -100% of the catch.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 7 (5) Transport would cause a significant amount of stress and it is therefore expected that an infected animal 
would demonstrate signs of illness.  
(6) The small number of  healthy  crabs  that would be imported  make the likelihood of entry of Hematodinium 
spp. and Hematodinium -like spp . very low .  
(7) Monitoring for signs of disease  could be carried out during a PEI and PAQ  period of 30 days  each . Any 
morbidity or  mortality during this period could  be investigated.  
(8) Water management in the transitional facility on arrival in New Zealand must mitigate against the release 
of Hematodinium spp. 
(9) Imported zoo crabs must be sourced from regions and colonies with no known disease outbreaks  caused 
by Hematodinium  spp.  
7.2.3 Recommendations  
(1) The following measures are considered to effectively manage the risk associated with Hematodinium spp. 
and Hematodinium -like spp.:  
a) Imported Japanese spider crabs  are sourced from  regions  and fr om colonies  with no known disease  
outbreaks  caused by  Hematodinium  spp.  
b) Prior to export and on arrival in New Zealand, the imported Japanese spider crabs are to complete a 
30-day quarantine at an approved facility.  Clinical s igns relating to Hematodinium spp. must be 
monitored for and investigated during PAQ, and infected animals are not eligible to be authorised 
into containment . 
7.3 Exotic holotrich ciliates  
7.3.1 Risk management options presented in the 2021 IRA  
(1) The IRA determined th at the likelihood of hol otrich ciliate entry i n Japanese spider crabs ( M. kaemperi ) is 
non-negligible. However, the likelihood of susceptible crustaceans in New Zealand being exposed to 
exotic holotrich ciliates  is assessed to be negligible  provided that all of  the following management 
measures are implemented:  
a) No co -habitation takes place between the commodit y and New Zealand endemic species . 
b) Standard biosecurity practices are in place at the facility, including following the EPA (APP202739) 
requirements . 
c) The EPA (APP202739) requirements and MPI guidelines for carcass disposal are followed; and  
d) Wastewater is treated following the EPA (APP202739) requirements prior to release into an 
approved municipal sewage system.  
7.3.2 Discussion  
(1) Infection with  holotrich cil iates is not an OIE listed disease . 
(2) There are two closely related holotrich ciliate species that are known t o periodically cause high mortalities 
among crustaceans in captivity. They are Mesanophrys  spp. and Mugardia  spp. Those in the Mugardia  
genus have n ever been reported from the New Zealand aquatic environment. Mesanophrys carcini has 
been reported in rotifers used as fish food in New Zealand.  
(3) Transmission is not entirely understood with research suggesting an integumentary route of infection via a 
compromised exoskeleton . Available data also suggests that holotrich ciliates may be free -living 
facultative histophages . One study found that  crabs injected with ciliates were likely to die in approximately 
10-12 days. In a different study, wild crabs tha t became infected during the moulting period were likely to 
survive for 3 to 4 weeks.  
(4) The ciliates are unlikely to survive out of water , making the likelihood of infection of terrestrial crabs 
negligible . Only the Japanese spider crab  (M. kaempferi ) is identified as being at risk of infect ion.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 8 (5) Signs of infection in c rabs include lethargy and an inability to flip themselves when overturned. Diagnosis 
of infection can be made through the observation of ciliates in the haemolymph.  
(6) Due to the high mortality rate, it is very unlikely that any crab infected with holotrich ciliates would survive 
both transport and P EI or PAQ.  
(7) Monitoring for signs of disease  could be carried out during a PEI and  PAQ period of 30 days each . Any 
morbidity  or mortality during this period could  be investigated. Diagnosis can be made via necropsy , as 
hearts of heavily infected individuals may have white areas of tissue necrosis  and ciliates can be observ ed 
in histological sections of the soft tissues.  
(8) Water management in the transitional facility on arrival in New Zealand must mitigate against the release 
of Exotic holotrich ciliates . 
(9) Imported zoo crabs must be sourced from regions and colonies with no kno wn disease outbreaks caused 
by holotrich ciliates.  
7.3.3 Recommendations  
(1) The following measures are considered to effectively manage the risk associated with holotrich ciliates : 
a) Imported Japanese spider crabs  are sourced from regions and from colonies with no k nown disease 
outbreaks caused by  holotrich ciliates .  
b) Prior to export and on arrival in New Zealand, the imported Japanese spider crabs are to complete a 
30 day quarantine at an approved facility.  Clinical s igns relating to holotrich ciliates  must be 
monitored for and investigated during PAQ, and infected animals are not eligible to be authorised 
into containment.  
7.4 Angiostrongylus cantonensis  
7.4.1 Risk management options presented in the 2021 IRA  
(1) There is no Code chapter for Angiostrongylus cantonen sis.  
(2) For the importation of terrestrial crabs ( B. latro, G . natalis and D. celeste ) from Christmas Island , the 
following option s could be considered to effectively manage the risk:  
 Options  
a) Any deceased commodity is to be treated as medical biowaste in accordance with New Zealand 
Standards (NZS) 4304:2002 Management of Healthcare Waste, using incineration (New Zealand 
Standards 2002).  
b) Any deceased commodity is to be frozen to at least -18 °C for > 12 hours prior to disposal (MPI 
2018).  
(3) Risk management measures are not justified for Japanese spider crabs ( M. kaempferi ) sourced from 
Japan.  
7.4.2 Discussion  
(1) Infection with A. cantonensis is not an OIE listed disease.  
(2) A. cantonensis is not present in New Zealand and is deemed an unwanted organism.  A. cantonensis has 
not been reported in the New Zealand aquatic environment.  
(3) Transmission  occurs when a definitive host  (rat) consumes an intermediate  (gastropod)  or paratenic  
(freshwater crabs and prawns)  host that contains the infectious third stage larvae. The larvae will then 
mature and reproduce within the definitive host . First-stage larvae are eventually excreted in the faeces of 
the definitive host. The contaminated faeces would the n have to be consumed by an intermediate host  
where the first -stage larvae would mature to a third -stage larvae. A rat can then either consume the 
intermediate host infected with a third -stage larvae, or it can consume a paratenic host which has 
consumed a n intermediate host infected with a third stage larvae, to complete the life cycle.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 9 (4) A. cantonensis  is present both in Japan and Christmas Island. However, it is only known to affect 
freshwater species. Therefore, only Birgus latro, Gecarcoidea natalis, and Dicoplax celeste  are 
determined to be potential carriers of A. cantonensis .  Macrocheira kaempferi is not afflicted by A. 
cantonensis  as they do not share the same habitat.  
(5) The small  number of healthy crabs that would be imported make the lik elihood of entry of A. cantonensis  
very low.   
(6) A. cantonensis  is not contagious and requires consumption of the crab for transmission to occur. Upon 
death, the crabs are disposed of according to MPI biosecurity guidelines  for zoo containment species . 
(7) Water management in the transitional facility on arrival in New Zealand must mitigate against the release 
of Angiostrongylus cantonensis . 
7.4.3 Recommendation  
(1) No risk measures are required other than the general requirement that healthy crabs complete pre-export 
isolation (PEI) for 30 days under supervision and are sourced from regions and colonies with no known 
disease outbreaks caused by A. cantonensis . 
7.5 Epicar idean isopods  
7.5.1 Risk management options presented in the 2021 IRA  
(1) The IRA determined the likelihood of epicaridean isopod entry in the commodity to be non -negligible. 
However, the likelihood of susceptible crustaceans in New Zealand being exposed to epicarid ean isopod 
larval stages  is assessed to be negligible  provided that all of the following management measures are 
implemented:  
a) The EPA (APP202739) requirements and MPI guidelines for carcass disposal are followed; and  
b) Wastewater is treated following the EPA  (APP202739) requirements prior to release into an 
approved municipal sewage system.  
7.5.2 Discussion  
(1) Infection with  epica ridean isopods  is not an OIE listed disease . 
(2) Thirteen species of epicaridean isopods have been reported from crustacean hosts in New Zealan d. 
Epicaridean isopods are identified as a hazard in the zoo crabs.   
(3) Most epicaridean isopods  require a copepod  as an intermediate host. The lack of an intermediate host 
would prevent transmission. Terrestrial crabs would therefore be unaffected.  
(4) Crabs infested with multiple isopods are likely to show signs of lethargy due to the consumption of 
haemolymph and/or ovar ian fluids.  
(5) Morphological changes may also be present and could  be used to identify infected crabs. The changes 
are characterised by a decrease  of the abdom inal width , as well as a reduction in weight and cheliped 
(claw) height .  Heavily infected crabs may present  a localized swelling on the carapace indicati ve of the 
location of the parasite s.   
(6) The small  number of healthy crabs that would be imported , and the lifecycle of the crustacea , make the 
likelihood of  entry of epicaridea n isopods very low.  
(7) Monitoring for signs of disease  could be carried out during a PEI and PAQ period of 30 days each . Any 
morbidity or mortality during this period could  be investigated. As the parasite attaches to the crab, 
diagnosis c an be made via necr opsy . 
(8) Water management in the transitional facility on arrival in New Zealand must mitigate against the release 
of epicaridean isopod .  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 10 (9) Crab colonies afflicted by epicaridean  isopods should be easy to identify due to the various ways the 
parasites manifest in affected crabs. Imported zoo crabs must  be sourced from regions and colonies  with 
no known outbreaks of epicaridean isopods.   
7.5.3 Recommendations  
(1) The following measures are considered to effectively manage the risk associated with epicaridean 
isopods:  
a) Imported  Japanese spider crabs are sourced from regions and colonies  with no known disease 
outbreaks caused by  epicaridean isopods.  
b) Prior to export and on arrival in New Zealand , the imported Japanese spider crabs are to complete a 
30 day quarantine at an approved facility . Clinical signs relating to epicaridean isopods must be 
monitored for and investigated during PAQ, and infected animals are not eligible to be authorised 
into containment .  
7.6 Rhizocephalan barnacles  
7.6.1 Risk management options presented in the 2021 IRA  
(1) The IRA proposes that the following management measures are implemented:  
a) No co -habitation takes place between the commodities , except for red crab  (G. natalis ) and blue 
crab (D. celeste ) from Christmas Island, and between the commodities and New Zealand endemic 
species;  
b) Standard biosecurity practices are in place at the facility, including following the EPA (APP202739) 
requirements;  
c) The EPA (APP202739) requirem ents and MPI guidelines for carcass disposal are followed; and  
d) Wastewater is treated following the EPA (APP202739) requirements prior to release into an 
approved municipal sewage system.  
7.6.2 Discussion  
(1) Infection with  rhizocephalan barnacles  is not an OIE list ed disease.  
(2) Rhizocephalan barnacles are metazoan parasites  with a high host -specificity  and are known to affect 
several commercially fished crustacean species.  
(3) Ten species of rhizocephalan barnacles have been reported from the New Zealand aquatic environm ent.  
(4) Signs of  an internal infestation with  rhizocephalan barnacles include stunted growth and cessation in 
moulting  of the host crab . The internal phase may last up to 14 months.  As the parasite matures, it 
develops an externally visible female egg sac through the host’s cuticle. Hosts that survive this process 
may display brown scars on tissue where the egg sac was located.  
(5) The small number of healthy crabs that would be imported, and the parasite’s high host -specificity, make 
the likelihood of entry of rhizocephalan barnacles very low.  
(6) Monitoring for signs of disease could be carried out during a PEI and  PAQ period of 30 da ys each . Any 
morbidity or mortality during this period could be investigated. Diagnosis can be made via necropsy.  
(7) Water management in the transitional facility on arrival in New Zealand must mitigate against the release 
of Rhizocephalan barnacles  
(8) Due to th e host specificity of the parasite, it would be easy to determine whether a particular crab colony is 
infested. Therefore, imported crabs must be sourced from colonies  or regions with no signs of infestation 
of rhizocephalan barnacles.  
7.6.3 Recommendations  
(1) The following measures are considered to effectively manage the risk associated with rhizocephalan 
barnacles:   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 11 a) Imported zoo crabs are sourced from regions and from colonies  with no known  disease  outbreaks 
caused by  rhizocephalan barnacles.   
b) Prior to export and  on arrival in New Zealand, the imported crabs are to complete a 30 day 
quarantine at an approved facility . Clinical signs relating to rhizocephalan barnacles must be 
monitored for and investigated during PAQ, and infected animals are not eligible to be au thorised 
into containment.  
 
 
 
 
 
   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 12 Appendix 1 – Document History  
Date First Issued  Title Shortcode  
27 May 2022  
Internal Consultation  Risk Management Proposal: Specified Zoo Crabs  RMP ZOOCRABS.SPE  
TBD 
External Consultation  Risk Management Proposal: Specified Zoo Crabs  RMP ZOOCRABS.SPE  
Date of Issued 
Amendments  Title