From the Department of Primary Industries

Friday March 28, 2008

NEW SIZE LIMITS FOR ABALONE IN VICTORIA’S SOUTH-WEST

The legal minimum length (LML) of abalone taken by both recreational and commercial divers in Victoria’s south-west is to be increased, to provide further protection for abalone populations recovering from the effects of the abalone virus.

The Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria, Peter Appleford, says the new LML, applying from the mouth of the Hopkins River west to the South Australian border, will be increased from 120mm to 130mm.

“It is also important to stress the whole zone will be closed to commercial abalone diving and that the area between The Crags and Killarney remains off limits to everyone looking to collect abalone,” Dr Appleford said.

“These closures will stay in effect until at least the start of the new commercial fishing season on 1 April 2009.”

“The only exceptions will be Lady Julia Percy Island, Julia Bank and Discovery Bay which will remain open to commercial divers.”

“These temporary measures have been developed at the request of the commercial abalone industry and in consultation with all stakeholders.”

Dr Appleford said the changes and closures are in force to help abalone stocks in the west rebuild in the wake of the virus that has spread east as far as London Bridge, near Port Campbell, and west as far as Discovery Bay.

“Without these interim measures abalone populations that have been, or still are, affected by the virus will take significantly longer to recover.”

Recreational divers taking abalone outside of the closed area between The Crags and Killarney should continue using their plastic yellow abalone measures but should use the 130mm measurement for greenlip, to ensure they comply with the temporary LML increase.

“It is also important that abalone divers, commercial and recreational continue to observe the Department’s biosecurity protocols, which aim to minimise the risk of spreading the virus.”

“The wash, remove and dispose messages remain at the centre of the biosecurity protocols, which have been widely promoted throughout the southwest.”

More information on the biosecurity protocols can be found at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing (follow the links to the Abalone Disease webpage) or by ringing 136 186.