|
Scuba Diving News
|
|
Monday, 07 September 2009 20:05 |
An alarming Abalone disease is currently sweeping thought the southern part of Australia and Tasmania. Environmental Officers and divers are on alert status to study the lethal Abalone virus which is making its way through Victorian waters.
The disease, identified as "Ganglioneritis virus" was first detected in December 2005 when it affected two-land based aquaculture farms, one in Portland and Port Fairy and a two other experimental sea-based farms.
Despite efforts to erradicate it by aquaculture farms and professional Abalone divers, the virus has continuously spread over 200 kilometres of Victorian coastlines from Cape Nelson near Portland to Childers Cove east of Warrnambool.
 A diseased Abalone
The virus causes inflammation of the Abalone's nervous tissue that results in curling of the front and swelling of the mouth.
According to the study of Department of Primary Industries (DPI), the virus has no known possibility to have harmful effects on humans. However the virus has caused massive losses to the Victorian area mainly an abalone industry that has an export value about $75 million a year |
