A Dungog commercial beekeeper is urging backyard beekeepers to keep a close eye on new regulations for bees and their transport across the state after varroa mite was discovered at the Port of Newcastle last week.
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The movement of bees within NSW has been halted following the discovery last week of the deadly parasite at the Port. A 10 kilometre "red zone" has been established around the Port, with all bees within that radius set to be eradicated.
While Dungog is outside the current eradication zone, it does fall within the 50-kilometre biosecurity zone. Beekeepers within that area must notify the NSW Department of Primary Industries of the locations of their hives.
Andrew Braham, owner of Brahamy's Bees and who has 250 hives throughout Dungog, said the "top priority" for the area's beekeepers now should be in "protecting Australia's bees".
"We've got to get onto this. If we can beat it now in its initial stages then we'll be good, but otherwise it'll be devastating," he said.
Mr Braham has urged Dungog's backyard beekeepers to take action quickly, and has offered his help to anyone who needs it.
"If you've got a beehive, get onto it and get it sorted. If you've got problems I'm more than happy to help anyone in the local area," he said.
Mr Braham has warned that backyard beekeepers will suffer as well if the mite spreads. The mites are described by DPI as "tiny reddish-brown parasites" that are "easily identifiable to the naked eye".
When Mr Braham first heard that the varroa mite had found its way to Australia he was "devastated" and scared about the future.
"It's a terrible thing. In New Zealand they lost 90 per cent of their hives within the first year or two, so it is literally going to be devastating Australia wide," he said.
Mr Braham said he was thankful that his business hasn't been drastically impacted as of yet.
"Winter's a quiet time for bees, you're not really doing a great deal with them at this point," he said. "But I'm supposed to move hives to a couple of avocado orchards next month and that won't be happening. If I run out of honey between now and August then that's it."
If the varroa mite gets out and eradicates his hives, Mr Braham said he could lose a significant amount of money.
"One of my hives is worth about $600. You're looking to lose up to 95 per cent of those. You do the math, it's worth a bit of money."
The potential impact of this isn't limited to just the beekeeping industry, according to Mr Braham. Other industries that use bees for pollination will face uncertainty as bees are no longer able to be transported.
"It'll be devastating for everybody," Mr Braham said. "They're meant to send 200,000 hives for almonds next month and there's no movement for bee's so the price of almonds, for example. is going to go through the roof."
With events still unfolding and no end in sight, Mr Braham is unsure how long this will last and is hoping that NSW will be able to stop this crisis in its early stages.
"It'll come down to the numbers they find. Every beekeeper's got to be vigilant and do the tests that they ask. They've got to figure out where the mites are and if there are mites how bad it is."
DPI has advised beekeepers to do sugar shake tests, ethanol washes and brood uncapping tests to check for the presence of varroa mite.
To register your bee hive location phone 1800 084 881 or visit dpi.nsw.gov.au.
If you suspect you have found varroa mite contact DPI by email hive.location@emergency.dpi.nsw.gov.au, or phone 1800 084 881.
If you are a backyard beekeeper and require assistance from Mr Braham contact him at 0419 618 574.