60 Days for recreational Abalone take in central Victorian waters

by Paul Sellars - Fisheries Vic on 20 Oct 2010 Fisheries Victoria has announced the 60 nominated open days for the recreational take of abalone from central Victorian marine waters for the 2010-11 season.

Central Victorian waters extend east of the mouth of the Aire River to the most north-western part of Arch Rock (near Cape Liptrap), including Port Phillip Bay and Western Port.

Fisheries Victoria Acting Executive Director Travis Dowling said most of the open days were on weekends and public holidays between November this year and May next year, including ten consecutive days over Christmas and four consecutive days over the Easter period next year.

'The first open days begin on the weekend of 20 and 21 November 2010,' Mr Dowling said.

'Recreational abalone fishers are reminded the statewide abalone bag limit is five, of which no more than two can be greenlip.

'However, greenlip abalone must not be taken from Port Phillip Bay.

'In addition to the daily bag limit of five abalone that applies in, on or adjacent to the water, there is a possession limit that applies anywhere in Victoria (including your home) of 10 abalone, of which no more than four may be greenlip.

'An interim minimum legal size of 13cm for blacklip abalone remains in place from the mouth of the Hopkins River to the South Australian border to assist the rebuilding of stocks affected by the abalone disease.

'The disease has no known or likely impacts for human health.'

Fisheries Victoria continues to encourage divers taking abalone to adopt good biosecurity practises by:

• Washing vessels, wetsuits, dive equipment and their hands with soapy freshwater,
• Removing all marine organic matter from vessels and equipment, and
• Disposing of abalone shell, meat and gut with their household waste.

'The 60 nominated open days in central waters are outlined on a water-resistant pocket card to help recreational abalone divers better plan their diving activities.

'The free pocket cards are available by ringing the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

'Abalone divers are reminded they must carry a measuring device when taking abalone. Plastic measures are available free from good dive shops or by ringing 136 186.'

Taking abalone from the intertidal zone (waters less than 2m deep) is prohibited right along the Victorian coast.

Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to call the 24-hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474).

The 60 nominated days for central Victorian waters for 2010/11 are:

• 20 and 21 November 2010 (2 days)
• 27 and 28 November 2010 (2 days)
• 4 and 5 December 2010 (2 days)
• 11 and 12 December 2010 (2 days)
• 18 and 19 December 2010 (2 days)
• 25 December 2010 to 3 January 2011 inclusive (10 days)
• 8 and 9 January 2011 (2 days)
• 15 and 16 January 2011 (2 days)
• 22 and 23 January 2011 (2 days)
• 26 January 2011 (1 day)
• 29 and 30 January 2011 (2 days)
• 5 and 6 February 2011 (2 days)
• 12 and 13 February 2011 (2 days)
• 19 and 20 February 2011 (2 days)
• 26 and 27 February 2011 (2 days)
• 5 and 6 March 2011 (2 days)
• 12 to 14 March 2011 inclusive (3 days)
• 19 and 20 March 2011 (2 days)
• 26 and 27 March 2011 (2 days)
• 2 and 3 April 2011 (2 days)
• 9 and 10 April 2011 (2 days)
• 16 to 17 April 2011 (2 days)
• 22 April to 25 April 2011 inclusive (4 days)
• 30 April and 1 May 2011 (2 days)
• 7 and 8 May 2011 (2 days)

www.dpi.vic.gov.au