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🇦🇺 Australia /Disasters & Emergencies

Deadly Bird Flu Detection Sparks Tourism Fears on NSW South Coast

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Businesses on the NSW south coast fear tourism impacts after the first local detection of deadly H5N1 bird flu in a tern.
  • The town's economy heavily relies on spring and summer tourism, including visits to Barunguba Montague Island, a nesting site for numerous bird species.
  • Authorities are monitoring the island, a national park and sanctuary, for H5N1 spread, with concerns for both wildlife and seals, while local operators fear a "massive" economic hit if tours are canceled.

Tourism businesses on the New South Wales south coast are expressing significant concern over potential economic repercussions following the first local detection of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu. A greater crested tern found dead on Bar Beach in Narooma tested positive for the virus, raising fears for the region's vital tourism industry, which thrives during the spring and summer months.

It's the number one tourism experience in Narooma.

— Sally BouckleyNarooma tour operator Sally Bouckley describes the economic importance of island tours.

Narooma's economy is heavily dependent on visitors, with hospitality services relying on tourists for up to 70 percent of their business. A key attraction is boat tours to Barunguba Montague Island, a national park reserve nine kilometers offshore. The island serves as a nesting ground for over 90 bird species, including greater crested terns and endangered Gould's petrels. Visitors can also interact with Australian and New Zealand fur seals, species known to be vulnerable to avian influenza outbreaks.

We rely heavily on tourism. Hospitality in Narooma is 70 per cent reliant on visitors.

— Sally BouckleyNarooma tour operator Sally Bouckley highlights the local economy's dependence on tourism.

Sally Bouckley, a local tour operator, warned of a "massive" impact on Narooma's economy if the bird flu spreads to the island, describing the tours as the area's "number one tourism experience." NSW deputy chief veterinary officer Rhys Powell acknowledged the detection was "a little bit concerning" due to the island's proximity. The Department of Climate Change, Energy and Environment is conducting surveillance and implementing biosecurity measures on the island, one of 34 priority sites being monitored statewide.

We're undertaking surveillance to try and get some more information around what the actual risk is rather than making a knee-jerk response just because we found one sick bird.

— Rhys PowellNSW deputy chief veterinary officer Rhys Powell discusses the response to the bird flu detection.

Seabird ecologist Nicholas Carlisle highlighted Barunguba Montague Island as a "jewel in the crown" of the national parks estate, noting its success in attracting diverse birdlife. However, he cautioned that the upcoming influx of migratory birds in September increases the likelihood of H5N1 reaching the island. If detected there, Carlisle anticipates that tours would likely be suspended, potentially devastating the local economy. Australian fur seals are also identified as being at risk of infection.

Barunguba Montague is one of the jewels in the crown of the national parks estate.

— Nicholas CarlisleSeabird ecologist Nicholas Carlisle praises Barunguba Montague Island's ecological value.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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