Wash, remove and dispose to help protect abalone this summer

10:49 PM Fri 26 Dec 2008 GMT

'www.dpi.vic.gov.au/'

To reduce the risk of spreading the abalone disease this summer recreational anglers and divers are being encouraged to observe the closed area at Port Fairy and follow the biosecurity guidelines.

People must not take abalone, shellfish or sea urchins from the closed area, which stretches from the high water mark west of The Crags car park to the Killarney Beach car park.

Outside this area divers may take abalone, but should:

Wash vessels, wetsuits, dive equipment and their hands with soapy freshwater,
Remove all marine organic matter (weed) from vessels and equipment, and
Dispose of abalone shell, meat and gut with their household waste.

Fisheries Victoria wants to minimise the risk of fishers inadvertently spreading the disease and request anglers do not use abalone meat or gut as fishing bait.

Like last year, Fisheries Victoria is working to raise awareness of the closure and the biosecurity guidelines so that visitors and residents are informed and can do the right thing. Foreshore signage had been expanded along the coastline east of Port Phillip Bay. Although the abalone disease has not been detected in the east, divers and anglers visiting the east over summer should be aware of the biosecurity protocols. The protocols are a common sense approach and should always be used when diving.

South-west abalone fishers are also reminded that the interim increase in legal minimum length for blacklip abalone of 13cm remains in place from the mouth of the Hopkins River west to the South Australian border.

For more information about the abalone disease ring the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/abalonedisease

by VIC DPI

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Wash, remove and dispose to help protect abalone this summer

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