Abalone viral ganglioneuritis (AVG) - Nov 2011

Diseased abalone displaying AVG symptoms

Diseased abalone displaying an AVG symptom-
curling of the foot (Photo: DPI Victoria)

Updated: 16 Feb 2012

The NSW Government has implemented a temporary suspension on imports of live abalone from Tasmania after laboratory results indicated that abalone stock imported to a NSW premises from a Tasmania supplier is infected with Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG).

There is no evidence that AVG has any effect on human health.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Fisheries Officers attended the infected premises on November 24 and collected a number of unhealthy abalone.

NSW DPI traced the product on November 23 and found that live abalone had been imported via an infected processing plant in Tasmania to NSW. The Tasmanian plant was confirmed as infected on November 16.

NSW DPI Fisheries Officers have also conducted compliance inspections on a number of other locations where abalone were held for human consumption across NSW and collected a number of abalone for testing.

NSW DPI is implementing biosecurity protocols to decontaminate the infected tanks.

AVG is a viral disease which affects the nervous system of abalone and results in curling of the foot, swelling of the mouth, weakness and death of abalone.

AVG affects both blacklip and greenlip abalone.

The community is encouraged to report any observations of sick, dying or dead abalone to the NSW Fishers Watch hotline on 1800 043 536.

Important information for consumers

Help protect NSW abalone stocks.

Imported abalone can potentially pose a risk to NSW abalone stocks.
To help reduce this risk please:

  • Throw abalone shells, gut and any left over abalone waste in the bin do not discard any abalone remains in waterways.
  • Do not use abalone gut as bait in NSW - it is illegal and there is a fishing closure prohibiting this activity.

Chinese simplified [pdf], Chinese traditional [pdf], Vietnamese [pdf], Korean [pdf], Japanese [pdf]

More information