Tuesday, January 18, 2011

First checks clear wild abalone in Tasmania

Abalone divers checking wild fish near a diseased farm on Tasmania's east coast have reported they appear healthy. Biosecurity measures are in place after the detection of the ganglioneuritis virus at the farm and processing plant near Bicheno. The industry could learn today whether the disease has infected wild fish stocks.

The Primary Industries Minister, Bryan Green, has told ABC Local Radio that containing the virus is a high priority. "We are waiting with baited breath to understand what the situation is with respect to the wild fish, whether or not they have the virus or if there is any disease," he said. "Anecdotally, I can say ...that those divers from TAFI (Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute) reported that the fish that they sampled looked healthy."

"Industry have been responsible, we've acted quickly and hopefully that has averted any risk to the external environment. "It's something we need to consider very carefully. "The industry is at odds as to how we move forward with this but I will take advice from the chief veterinary officer and we'll move forward on that basis." Read more...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers.

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