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Biosecurity Protocols
Disease Homepage | Background & Impact | Management Action | Research & Surveillance | National Abalone Health
The Department has released a comprehensive Code of Practice for all sectors on biosecurity control measures.
To view the Code of Practice you will require Adobe Acrobat Viewer. A free copy can be downloaded from Adobe Acrobat (external link).
Biosecurity Control Measures for Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis - A Code of Practice (PDF 766KB)
Key biosecurity messages include the following:
Recreational
Protocols were developed for waters inside and outside of the Temporary Abalone Closure to further minimise the risk of spreading the disease. These controls require the:
- Decontamination of vessels, wetsuits, dive equipment, catch bags, boxes and people who come into contact with abalone with soapy freshwater,
- Appropriate disposal of abalone shell, meat and gut.
Decontamination
Decontamination must be undertaken away from the water’s edge so that soapy water does not affect the health of waterways, and as soon as reasonably possible after leaving the water.
If you live or have accommodation in the area between Apollo Bay and Port Campbell, decontamination can be undertaken when you return home. If you are from another area and intend to launch your vessel into other waters, the vessel should be taken to a car wash or service station with wash down facilities.
Vessels
- All organic matter from inside and outside the vessel should be removed
| Biosecurity signs have been erected along the Victorian coast |
Wetsuits and Dive Equipment
- Ideally, wetsuits should be washed with a neoprene wash (available from dive and surf shops) although a mild liquid soap or shampoo will suffice.
- Dive tanks, buoyancy vests, regulators and masks that have not come into contact with abalone can be washed down in soap-free freshwater
- Equipment that has come into contact with abalone, such as catch bags, gloves, dive knives and measuring devices, should be soaked in soapy freshwater for 30 minutes and then rinsed.
People and clothing
- Divers who come into contact with abalone should wash their hands with soapy water.
- Spray any waterproof clothing with soapy freshwater and rinse.
- On returning home, wash clothes with laundry detergent.
- Decontaminated vessels, wetsuits, dive equipment and clothing should be allowed to dry.
Disposal of viscera
Abalone shell, viscera (meat and gut) should not be:
- shucked (taken from the shell) at sea,
- dumped into the sea,
- used as fishing bait.
Take your abalone catch home and dispose of the waste with your household rubbish. | Wash dive gear in soapy water |
Commercial
The commercial abalone industry has adopted strict biosecurity protocols developed in consultation with DPI.
Aquaculture
Protocols have been developed for the translocation of abalone. In accordance with the Guidelines for Assessing Translocations of Live Aquatic Organisms in Victoria (2003), this risk based protocol has been drafted and forwarded for comment to:
- All Peak Bodies recognised in the Fisheries Act 1995,
- the Fisheries Co-Management Council
- Victorian Abalone Growers Association
To view the draft protocol you will require Adobe Acrobat Viewer. A free copy can be downloaded from Adobe Acrobat (external link).
Victorian Abalone Aquaculture Translocation Protocol (PDF 1.2MB)
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