Fishers heading out to enjoy South Australia’s waters these holidays are being reminded of the abalone fishing closure that is in place due to the Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) outbreak.
The closure – made in consultation with the commercial abalone industry and RecFish SA – prohibits the take of any abalone (commercial or recreational) in waters from the River Murray Mouth to the Victorian border.
The closure was implemented by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) in March for 12 months to support stock recovery and to help prevent further spread of the virus.
All water users have a role to play in preventing any further spread of AVG in South Australia and are urged to practice good biosecurity measures including:
• Check: all vessels, fishing, diving and surfing equipment, and remove anything including water, sand or seaweed.
• Clean: boats at home or at a commercial car wash. Wash wetsuits, fishing and diving equipment with detergent and fresh water. Anything that has touched the seabed, such as anchors, must be decontaminated.
• Dry: all equipment completely, preferably in the sun, before heading out into the water again.
PIRSA Executive Director Fisheries and Aquaculture Gavin Begg encouraged anyone boating, diving or fishing in Southern Zone waters to play their part in restricting the spread of AVG.
“Following the basic biosecurity measures of checking, cleaning and drying your equipment is an easy and effective way of ensuring your fishing and diving gear is free of contamination and is not going to spread AVG,” he said.
“These simple steps are very effective for decontamination and will help to restrict the further spread of AVG and help protect our marine life and other abalone fishery zones.”
AVG is caused by a mollusc herpes virus that only infects abalone.
It affects the abalone nervous system, causing weakness and eventually death, and AVG has the potential to severely impact local abalone stocks and reef ecosystems.
AVG can spread through the movement of:
• Infected abalone or abalone product (tissue, offal, shell or mucus)
• Contaminated equipment (including wetsuits)
• People who have come into contact with infected abalone or bottom habitat.
AVG is a notifiable disease.
If you see sick abalone in South Australia, please call the Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 065 522 or use the SA Fishing app.
AVG has no known effects on human health.
PIRSA also reminds fishers that abalone cannot be used for bait or berley in South Australian waters.
For more information visit pir.sa.gov.au/avg
