Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01397:body:0:p6
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01397
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 14122–17180

• seek stronger coordination of national action on chytrid fungus

  • draw on expertise from state and territory agencies and non-government organisations

  • encourage involvement of key stakeholders and experts in chytrid-related research and management.

The Australian Government will monitor the uptake and effectiveness of management actions by all parties as part of a review of the TAP under Section 279 of the EPBC Act. Where the Australian Government and state and territory governments have mutual obligations, negotiation of appropriate actions and funding of management actions will be undertaken.

1.2 The pathogen – history and spread
First discovered in dead and dying frogs in Queensland in 1993, chytridiomycosis is a highly infectious disease of amphibians, caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (B. dendrobatidis). Since 1993, research has shown that the fungus is widespread across Australia and has been present in the country since the 1970s. The disease is also found in Africa, the Americas, Europe, New Zealand and Asia (DSEWPaC, 2013).
Chytridiomycosis has been found in all Australian states and in the Australian Capital Territory, but not in the Northern Territory. Currently, it appears to be mainly confined to the relatively cool and wet areas of Australia, such as along the Great Dividing Range and adjacent coastal areas in the eastern mainland states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, eastern and central Tasmania, southern South Australia, and south-western Western Australia. However, it has also been found in lowland streams in the Queensland Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Very few areas of suitable host environment remain uninfected in Australia—high risk chytrid negative areas include the World Heritage Area in south-west Tasmania and the Iron Range on Cape York. There are also some pockets of disease-free areas within infected regions due to the isolated nature of these amphibian populations (DSEWPaC, 2013) and  relatively warm and saline wetlands may also provide refuges for local populations (Heard et al., 2015)
Chytridiomycosis/B. dendrobatidis is listed as a notifiable disease in Australia's National List of Reportable Diseases of Aquatic Animals and by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE, formerly Office International des Epizooties) in the Aquatic Animal Health Code.

1.3 Impacts of Chytrid

1.3.1 Epidemiology and ecological impacts
Chytrid fungi typically live in water or soil, although some are parasites of plants, crustaceans and insects. They reproduce asexually and have spores that 'swim' through the water. The amphibian chytrid fungus is thought to be the most significant disease affecting biodiversity of vertebrates (Skerratt et al. 2007). Individual frogs contract the disease via contact with infected animals or contaminated water containing spores from infected animals (DSEWPaC, 2013).
Chytridiomycosis mostly affects amphibian species that are associated with permanent water (streams, moist bogs, soaks and ponds).