Reporting suspected disease in abalone

Summary

Abalone viral ganglioneuritis (AVG) is a viral disease which affects the nervous system of abalone and can result in curling of the foot, swelling of the mouth, weakness and death in abalone. AVG affects both blacklip and greenlip abalone and hybrids.

AVG was detected for the first time in NSW in a retail outlet in November 2011. AVG is not known to be present in any wild abalone stocks in NSW.

AVG is a notifiable disease in NSW, and live abalone holders (eg. processors, retail outlets and restaurants) are required by law to notify DPI of suspected disease in abalone.

If you observe abalone which show signs of disease please report it immediately to the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fishers Watch Hotline on 1800 043 536.