THE dreaded abalone virus has been found again locally.

Abalone viral ganglioneuritis was discovered in specimens at Point Danger beach on Monday.

Victorian Fisheries Authority officers went to the beach after a fisher reported two dead abalone washed ashore.

The VFA said abalone were collected and transported for testing by the Principal Veterinary Officer, who confirmed they were positive for the AVG virus, which affects the nervous system of abalone and results in the foot curling up and swelling of the mouth, leading to weakness and often death.

To support the recovery of abalone stocks a 30km control area was recently renewed between Whites Beach and Point Danger, inclusive of Lawrence Rocks, and that area is closed to all abalone fishing until June 30, 2024.

The Observer understands the VFA conducted a dive yesterday to see whether or not the virus was localised to the Point Danger area or had spread wider.

“The VFA will work with local fishers and other stakeholders to establish the necessary virus management controls,” a VFA spokesman said.

The virus was discovered in May 2021 when a wild abalone diver discovered some of the species that looked infected off the coast at Cape Nelson, took a sample and immediately reported it to authorities.

That was a huge blow to the industry, which believed it had eradicated the virus from local waters 16 years earlier.

A control order was immediately put in place, restricting water-based activities – these included everything from diving for abalone to recreational fishing competitions – and that order was lifted in October 2021.

That was when the virus was declared endemic (established here), which meant the government and industry worked together on a disease management model.

The VFA said to reduce the risk of future spread it was important to remain vigilant to signs of the virus.

Across Victoria abalone, including the gut, could not be used as bait, and neither shell nor gut could be disposed into the ocean, with fishers having to use their rubbish bins instead.

Anyone who found abalone they thought was sick, anywhere in Victoria, should call the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.