Important AVG information for retail outlets

Last updated: 23 December 2011

Ban on live abalone imports into NSW from 13 December 2011

From 13 December 2011 the NSW Government has placed additional restrictions on importation of live abalone into NSW.

You are no longer permitted to import live abalone from Tasmania. Imports of live abalone from Victoria are also prohibited with the exception of live abalone sourced directly from an abalone farm, or from the Victorian eastern abalone zone via the Abalone Fisherman’s Cooperative Limited, Mallacoota Victoria. Details of Importation Order are available at NSW DPI website (listed below).

The NSW Government has implemented this formal ban in response to the detection of Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG) in stock that arrived into NSW from Tasmania. This ban is in place to protect the NSW abalone fishery.

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

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Fisheries Officers have visited retail outlets and restaurants and have collected any unhealthy abalone for disease testing.

NSW DPI is implementing biosecurity protocols to decontaminate the infected tanks that held unhealthy abalone.

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 and hybrids.

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

General hygiene to prevent spread of abalone disease

To prevent the spread of AVG disease in abalone, it is important that you follow these simple steps to reduce disease risks associated with transport vehicles, containers and any equipment which may come into contact with abalone:

  • Ensure that disposable containers (eg. foam eskies) which are used to transport abalone are disposed of to landfill. If containers are re-usable (eg. plastic containers/bins), wash container with warm water and wipe out or remove any particles and residue (eg. solid debris, residual mucous and faecal material) that remain in container.  After removing any particles and residue, use a mild detergent and warm water to wash container, rinse in fresh water and then allow container(s) to dry completely.
  • Wipe the underside of the transport containers/bins with a dilute detergent or disinfectant and also wipe surface areas where containers/bins have been placed.
  • If possible, wipe areas of transport truck that came into contact with the abalone containers/bins with dilute detergent or disinfectant.
  • Any equipment that comes into contact with abalone should also be cleaned with warm water and mild detergent, washed with fresh water and then dried. 
  • If abalone were transported in bins with aeration equipment, all fixtures and fittings (aeration equipment, pipework) should be dismantled and rinsed with fresh water.
  • Ensure that any water from abalone transport containers and holding tanks does not enter any waterway and is disposed of to the sewage system.
  • Wash hands and/or gloves thoroughly with warm soapy water after handling abalone.
  • Put abalone shells, gut and any left over abalone waste in the bin which goes to landfill - do not discard any abalone waste/remains in waterways.

IMPORTANT  - if you observe sick or dying abalone, contact NSW DPI Fishers Watch Hotline on 1800 043 536  for advice on what to do with the abalone and how to clean your abalone tanks to prevent other abalone from getting sick.

For more information and the current Importation Order.

General hygiene to prevent spread of abalone disease (Primefact 1146).