Meet the Ministrys new Chief Executive - Ministry of Fisheries

Spread of the virus can be mitigated if all surfing, diving
and fishing gear is suitably washed and completely
dried before leaving the infected area, or before
entering an uninfected area, including New Zealand.
This also includes all footwear and clothing worn on
any aquaculture facility within Australia.
hOW DID ThE VIRUS BECOME ESTABLIShED?
There is believed to be a high likelihood that infected abalone
on a land-based abalone farm were the source of virus infection
into wild abalone stocks. It is believed the virus spread from
the farm into the wild abalone populations of Taylors Bay as a
result of inadequate biosecurity protocols (including disposal
of live abalone, waste water, shell and offal) on the farm. How
the virus got into the farms is not as yet known. There are
a number of working assumptions, however determining the
original source is extremely difficult.
New Zealand has its own measures in place to protect our
blackfoot paua (Haliotis iris). While most of these are voluntary
measures monitored by MFish and implemented by the Paua
Industry Council and paua farmers, other developments
are underway via collaboration between MFish, Biosecurity
New Zealand and relevant stakeholders. The combination of
these measures will aim to address further protection of New
Zealand’s paua from the spread of disease. MFish and other
agencies are working closing to ensure further measures will
be applied where necessary.
SyMPTOMS OF ThE VIRUS
The virus threatening Australia’s paua causes inflammation of
the nervous tissue, resulting in the edges of the foot curling
inwards, swelling and protrusion of the mouth and excess
mucus production. Active signs of the viral infection include:
infected animals loosing muscle control and sliding or falling
BLaCk FOOT PaUa (HaLIOTIS IRIS)
off their home scars on the reef, and large amounts of intact
but near-dead abalone, shiny empty shells and loose meats
rolling around in the wash.
The virus is spread through direct contact between infected
and healthy abalone. It is believed the virus is exuded in the
mucus. The virus can spread without a host through the
water column however it is not known how long it survives
in this medium. It is not known at this stage if the virus is
transmitted from parent to progeny.
BLACK FOOT PAUA
(hALIOTIS IRIS)
Paua is highly valued by both New Zealand’s noncommercial
and commercial sectors.
It is a particularly valued customary fishery, as
providing paua at important events like hui or tangi
helps uphold the mana of the host marae. The use
of paua shell for decoration and fishing devices is
also a big part of Māori tradition. In some places,
paua is an important part of the diet.
The main paua fisheries are in the lower half of the
North Island (Wairarapa/ Wellington south coast),
top of the South Island (outer Marlborough Sounds
and Kaikoura), the lower half of the South Island
(Otago/Southland/Fiordland), Stewart Island and
the Chatham Islands.
Two other paua species are found in New Zealand
waters – yellow foot paua (H. australis) and virgin or
white foot paua (H. virginea). Both are smaller than
black foot paua and less common.
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