AUSTRALIA - On 18 June 2008, the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (VDPI) hosted the national abalone health work plan priority setting workshop.
The workshop was attended by all industry sectors and reviewed the importance and urgency of each work priority in the draft plan. It is expected that the draft plan will now be forwarded to relevant Government agencies for consideration.
The draft work plan can be viewed at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/abalonedisease.
VDPI is currently implementing Statewide biosecurity signage. Signs will be erected in strategic access location from the Victorian / New South Wales border to Apollo Bay. The signs will complement existing signage in place in the southwest. The signs are aimed at increasing public awareness of minimising the risk that fishers inadvertently spread the disease. The signs encouraging divers taking abalone to:
Wash vessels, wetsuits, dive equipment and their hands with soapy freshwater, Remove all marine organic matter from vessels and equipment, and Dispose of abalone shell, meat and gut with their household waste.
