AIDF Project 3 – Abalone Biotoxin Management Plan

Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB’s) are known to occur from time to time within sections of the Eastern Abalone fishing zone. Some species of algae produce natural toxins that may adversely affect humans. These toxins can be concentrated in the tissues of abalone at levels that may become potentially harmful if ingested.

The primary objective of the 2017 Abalone Biotoxin Management Plan (ABMP) is to ensure that abalone commercially harvested from the Eastern Abalone fishing zone meet the minimum food safety standards required for domestic and international market access and the protection of seafood consumers in all markets.

The TACL collaborates with Biosecurity Tasmania and with the Export Division of Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) to ensure that Tasmanian abalone exports are fully compliant with international food safety standards. The TACL Abalone Bio-toxin Management Plan 2017 is an important component of this collaborative process.

The inaugural ABMP was established in late 2017 and is due to be reviewed and updated in 2021.

A copy of the TACL Abalone Bio-toxin Management Plan 2017 may be found here.