Timeline Summary - Viral Abalone Ganglioneuritis.


Information in this timeline is taken from a number of different sources, the majority of which are government and industry related. The contents of the timeline are accurate in that they reflect the contents and discussions held. There has been an attempt to try and impart no personal opinion in the contents.

The content of this timeline and all Victorian Abalone Divers Association Inc. publications are provided for information purposes only and while reasonable care is taken in their preparation, the Victorian Abalone Divers Association Inc. does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, reliability, completeness or currency of the information in this or any publication or its usefulness in achieving any purpose.

Information published by the Victorian Abalone Divers Association Inc. from time to time is considered to be true and correct at the time of publication, however, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information and the Victorian Abalone Divers Association Inc. gives no assurances as to the accuracy of any information or advice contained.

Readers of this timeline as well as any other publication of the Victorian Abalone Divers Association Inc. are responsible for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. The Victorian Abalone Divers Association Inc. will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information on this site.

References and links to other sites, information, etc. are provided on the basis that readers are responsible for assessing the accuracy, reliability, completeness or currency of information found and that the Victorian Abalone Divers Association Inc. neither accepts any responsibility for the content of such material nor necessarily endorses any organisation or company linked to or from this its publications or sites..

 

Continue to Timeline of Events

19-12-2005

  • Unusual deaths at abalone farms, with 90% mortalities .

31-1-2006

  • No signs of Virus in wild abalone stocks outside farms in Portland and Port Fairy, which continue to pump out untreated effluent into environment .

9-2-2006

  • "Herpes like virus in abalone" declared an exotic disease in Government Gazette.

17-3-2006

  • Virus again appears on Port Fairy farm in one tank and rapid escalates.  Farms continue to pump out untreated effluent into environment. No Signs of Virus in the wild.

18-5-2007

  • Sick and dead abalone found in wild in Taylors Bay outside farm at Port Fairy.

5-7-2006

  • All infected Abalone Farms de-stocked and effluent flows turned off.

1-8-2006

  • Virus continues to spread, with diseased abalone found at Port Fairy, at Leura Bay, the Passage, Pea Soup (east) and Water Tower Bay (east) .

2-8-2006

  • Abalone divers request expansion of control area.

9-8-2006

  • DPI let control area expire with no further controls. Recreational Divers fishing in area that was the control area, catching abalone.

11-8-2006

  • Tasmania announces closure of Bass Strait abalone fishery.

6-9-2006

  • Virus found outside the Fishery Notice Control area.
  • No further action taken by DPI.

4-2-2007

  • Severe outbreaks found to have swept through Merri  Marine Sanctuary. 

13-2-2007

  • Abalone Industry Voluntarily closes area from Warrnambool Breakwater to 12 Apostles Marine.

8-3-2007

  • Fisheries Victoria suspend active monitoring of Virus.

16-3-2007

  • DPI rejects pleas for public awareness campaign to prevent disease spread.

1-4-2007

  • Industry’s requests to close area using a Fisheries Notice and raise public awareness are again refused.

15-6-2007

  • Reports by recreational divers of sick and dying abalone at Sandy Bay, near Childers Cove. Virus has affected almost 200km of coastline, and still spreading.

26-6-2007

  • Tasmania puts further restrictions on entry of fishing vessels.

13-9-2007

  • The Virus is detected at western end of "The Bay of Islands", near Peterborough, in South West Victoria.

10-11-2007

  • 10th of Nov. 2007, dive surveys organised by VADA locate the Abalone Virus (AVG) on the eastern edge of the "The Bay of Islands", a meager 500 metre movement in two months!
    Heavy westerly swells, a closed crayfish season and difficilt public access give weight to the theories of how the Virus is moved.

10-11-2007

  • Ganglioneuritis confirmed from abalone samples taken from the western end of the Virus front.
    Reef code 1.05 (The Tits - 23rd. Aug. 2007) and at reefcode 1.02 (Whites Beach - 10th. Nov. 2007), border The Discovery Bay Marine National Park, where Virus incursion is almost certain.

15-11-2007

  • The Virus DNA profile has confirmed that the virus is a unique strain not previously seen by scientists.
    "The sequencing of the virus DNA profile shows we are dealing with a new strain of abalone virus that has never been previously sequenced anywhere in the world," Dr Appleford said.
    Still no PCR diagnostic tests!

29-11-2007

  • Industry with DPI support attempts to create an abalone "firebreak" but is plagued by poor weather conditions.

11-2-2008

  • Virus jumps the "Firebreak" area and appears at yet another land based access point, the iconic Great Ocean Road attraction - London Bridge!

3-3-2008

  • Very slow movement in the past month, the Virus has progressed a mere 500 metres since the last survey, this slow movement is attributed to heavy weather conditions that has prevented most inshore boating/fishing activities.

19-3-2008

  • Virus infection is very obvious in abalone agregations beneath the Pier at Port Campbell, also in the passage outside the harbour.

16-4-2008

  • The Virus has now completely jumped the "Twelve Apostles Marine National Park" to a popular recreational access point just east of the Park. Surveys of the Marine Park reveal no Virus infections. The 20 plus kl. jump is attributed to human movement - the Virus is now active on two fronts! view map

16-7-2008

  • The Gables. Exactly 3 months since the last thorough inspection and the front has advanced only a few kilometres (3.5) eastward, but as anticipated, it has mushroomed more rapidly through the higher abalone densities within the "Twelve Apostles Marine Park" and has now linked with the active area around Port Campbell.

The good old days?..

abalone aggregation

Healthy Abalone Colony.


Submit a Comment.