April 2, 2007

Australia keeps out abalone fishing in northern Bass Strait islands
 

Australia will continue to keep out abalone fishing in northern Bass Strait islands as a safety measure to prevent the Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis disease from spreading to abalone stocks in Tasmania.

Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis raises the mortality rate among abalones by weakening their nervous system.

The Tasmanian Abalone Council, which represents Tasmania's commercial abalone fishers, processors and exporters, has supported the measure that will stay in place until the end of this year.

David Llewellyn, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, said the wild abalone fishery is one of Tasmania's key industries and the largest in the world, accounting for some 25 percent of the annual global harvest.

Authorities have informed commercial abalone fishers about decontamination procedures for people coming into contact with abalone, equipment and boats, to minimise the potential for disease to spread, Llewellyn added.