Fishers and divers in South Australia’s South East waters are being reminded to adopt good biosecurity practices during the summer holidays to reduce the spread of Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG).
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) has been working in the Southern Zone Abalone Fishery since AVG was detected in wild abalone at Port MacDonnell last February to prevent the disease spreading into other zones.
Conditions remain in place including the prohibition of taking abalone from the area surrounding the original detection site at Breaksea Reef near Port MacDonnell, from the Nene Valley to Pointe des Coreaux and around 7km (approximately 3.8 nautical miles) out to sea.
Commercial and recreational fishers cannot move equipment that has come into contact with the sea floor in the Southern Zone to other waters without full decontamination.
Basic biosecurity measures fishers and divers are required to undertake include:
• Check: all vessels, fishing, diving and surfing equipment and remove anything including water, sand or seaweed. Check your abalone catch for signs of illness.
• Clean: boats at home or at a commercial car wash. Wash wetsuits, fishing and diving equipment with detergent and fresh water.
• Dry: all boating, fishing and diving equipment completely, preferably in the sun, before heading out into the water again.
PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture Acting Director of Operations Matt Read urged fishers to take care.
“We are coming into the busiest time of the year in the southeastern waters and it is important everyone plays their part to reduce the spread of AVG and protect our marine life and fishing industries,” he said.
“Following the basic biosecurity measures of checking, cleaning and drying your equipment is an easy and effective way of ensuring your fishing gear is free of contamination and is not going to spread AVG.
“It is also important that people report sick or dead abalone anywhere in South Australia by calling the Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 065 522 or through the SA Fishing app.”
For further guidance on requirements visit pir.sa.gov.au/avg
