An offshore area near Portland has been closed to all abalone and rock lobster fishing after Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) was detected in two abalone at Point Danger.
Local Fisheries Officers this week collected dead abalone washed up on the beach at Point Danger, south of Portland. The abalone were sent for testing at AgriBio and confirmed as being positive for AVG. The last detection of virus in the area was in June 2022.
AVG is a virus which affects the nervous system of abalone and results in the foot curling up, swelling of the mouth, leading to weakness and in most cases death. There are no effects of AVG on human health.
In response, the VFA has introduced a new control area, via Fisheries Notice, closing a section of coastline and water to all recreational and commercial abalone fishing, rock lobster fishing, and all recreational and commercial netting, including the use of hoop nets, until 15 November 2023. The area stretches south from Portland Harbour to west of Cape Sir William Grant, including Lawrence Rocks.
In addition, an area is closed to all forms of recreational and commercial fishing within 500 metres of the Yumbah abalone farm at Narrawong to minimise the risk of disease transfer from the marine environment into the farm. The closure will also remain in effect until 15 November 2023.
An existing abalone fishing closure area also remains in place to help stocks recover from the previous outbreak, stretching west from Point Danger to Cape Bridgewater. Both affected abalone found this week were within this existing zone.
