|
Abalone Divers
Links
Welcome to the Victorian Abalone Divers Association Inc,
Latest Virus Update
The Current Situation ? July 2007
Since being found in wild abalone, at Port Fairy in May 2006, the virus has spread rapidly.
? Almost 200 kilometers of Victorian Coast affected, with no signs of weakening Consistent movement of 5 to 10 km per month.
? Disease has devastated one Marine Sanctuary, and is approaching the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park in the east, and Discovery Bay Marine National Park in the west.
? Millions of abalone dead, up to 95 per cent mortality in some populations.
? Appears to spread readily through water, and on seaweed.
? Effects Blacklip, Greenlip and Hybrid (farmed) abalone.
? At least 2 of the recent long distance Virus movements have been to land based, ocean access points,
? No active monitoring of virus being undertaken by DPI.
? All areas outside of the small control zone are still able to be harvested by commercial and recreational divers.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED
- Government to work with abalone industry
- A public awareness campaign
- Zoning of State for Disease
- Stopping forward Transmission of Virus
- Limited access for recreational divers
- Ban on moving live abalone from Western Victoria to open circuit holding tanks
- Active Government monitoring
- More sites monitored on the coast
- Restore effective policing of abalone thieves
- Plan for recovery of native abalone populations
- Proper scientific monitoring and research
|
