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| Recreational Abalone Fishing Closures and ProtocolsAbalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) is a viral disease effecting the nervous system of abalone resulting in weakness and death. The outbreak in Victoria during 2006 is the first reported case of the disease in Australia.
AVG only affects abalone and there are no human health implications from handling or eating infected abalone.
- Patches of weak or dead abalone;
- Abalone with protruding mouth parts; and / or
- Abalone with the edges of the foot curling inwards, exposing clean shiny shells.
To lower the risk of AVG entering from Victorian waters, the northern Bass Strait islands remain closed to all recreational abalone fishing.
| No abalone to be taken in State waters adjacent to the northern Bass Strait islands bounded in the north by the line of Latitude 39º 12' South, in the east by the line of longitude 147 35’ East, in the south by the line of latitude 39° 33’ South and in the west by the line of longitude 146° East. |
An abalone and rock lobster possession exclusion area has also been declared north of Flinders and King Islands. Recreationally caught abalone and rock lobster cannot be on board any vessels, other than commercial trading vessels, in the exclusion zone.
The virus only survives a short time in the water so the most likely method of disease spread is through direct contact between infected abalone (including offal, mucus, shells, contaminated fishing equipment or people) and healthy abalone.- No abalone or abalone products can be brought into Tasmania from interstate.
- RETAIN all abalone waste, including shells and offal, and dispose of it in land-based waste disposal. Dispose of the waste and shell with your household rubbish. It is illegal to shuck abalone at sea or use abalone viscera as fishing bait.
- CLEAN and DRY all boats, fishing and diving equipment. This includes catch bags, gloves, knives, measuring devices, wetsuits, buoyancy vests, masks, regulators, tanks, boats and people who have come into contact with abalone. Allow equipment to dry in the sun.
- REPORT any signs to the Disease Watch Hotline 1800 675 888 (24-hours) even if you are not sure.
See the Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis brochure for more information on Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis and how you can prevent it entering from Victorian waters.
Cleaning and Disinfection Protocols provide advice to minimise the spread of abalone diseases.
For additional information on Biosecurity Protocols.
Contact: AbaloneMatt Bradshaw
Principal Fisheries Management Officer (Abalone)
1 Franklin Wharf HOBART TAS 7000 TAS
Phone: 03 6233 3512
Fax: 03 62231539
Email: Matt.Bradshaw@dpipwe.tas.gov.au
Contact: Manager - Wild FisheriesGrant Pullen
Manager (Wild Fisheries Management Branch)
1 Franklin Wharf HOBART TAS 7000
Phone: 03 6233 3157
Fax: 03 6223 1539
Email: Grant.Pullen@dpipwe.tas.gov.au
Department switchboard: 1300 368 550 (local call cost within Australia)
To report any signs of AVG, phone the DPIPWE Disease Watch Hotline (24hrs) ph: 1800 675 888
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