Once the virus was detected, abalone licence holders saw their catch drastically drop by as much as 90%. The virus-affected area accounted for approximately 32% of Australia’s abalone exports before the outbreak.
The claimants to the class action are seeking compensation for damages and losses suffered because of the outbreak of the virus, which allegedly caused a reduction of the permitted annual abalone harvest quota, decreased abalone sales, and reduced profits and the value of holding an abalone licence.
The Victorian Government has declined to comment, saying the matter is now before the courts. However, at the time of the outbreak of the virus, the current Victorian Premier, Dr. Denis Napthine, accused the then Labour Government of an “absolute failure” to control the epidemic. Dr. Napthine compared the epidemic to the foot-and-mouth disease of the abalone industry. He also pointed out that it would take as much as 10 or maybe 15 years for the industry to recover from this virus. Experts, however, cannot predict if and when abalone will repopulate to the point where the industry will recover.
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