About Us
EZAIA Executive Officer
and Committee
Helen Burvill
Executive Officer
Helen has worked in the seafood industry in various capacities for over 32 years. Prior to joining EZAIA Helen was working in an aquatic biosecurity role covering Northern Australia. Helen provides leadership for the development and sustainability of the abalone wild-catch fishery and has extensive knowledge of industry issues, policies and regulatory challenges.
Joe Peel
President. Abalone Fisheries Access License holder
Joe arrived in Mallacoota in 1968 and bought into the industry in 1985 which was when he started diving and continued diving for twenty years. These days he has others who dive for him but remains very active in Mallacoota and the industry.
Brendan Wadsworth
Diver
Brendan started diving as an Abalone and Urchin deckhand as a teenager which he did for many years before going commercial diving in his twenties.
He then started Abalone diving which has been doing for over ten years.
Chris Daniel
Secretary. Abalone Fisheries Access License holder/Diver
Chris started out as a deckhand in 1996 and started diving three years later and has dived for many of the EZAIA license holders. He grew up in the East Gippsland area around Lakes Entrance and enjoyed holidays at this grandparent’s holiday house in Mallacoota where he got to know many of those who still dive today. He lives in Marlo with his family.
Members
Reinhard Strauss
Abalone Fisheries Access License holder/Diver
Reinhard started in the industry as a deckhand and has dived for urchins and abalone for over forty years. He also runs a charter business in Mallacoota and operates tours to Gabo Island, a seal colony off Wingan Inlet or to view penguins.
Grant Shoreland Jnr
Diver
Grant is a 2nd generation abalone diver, born and bred in Mallacoota diving since 2009. He is now the proud owner and proprietor of recently opened Scallywags Restaurant in Mallacoota featuring local fresh seafood on the menu.
Rachel Durham
Accounts
Rachel joined EZAIA in September 2023, she is managing the accounts after working in other accounting roles within the abalone industry. Rachel has grown up in Mallacoota and has many professional and personal ties to those within the abalone industry.
Reuben Cooper Battel
Diver
Reuben has grown up around the abalone fishery and is a proud third-generation diver. He began diving in 2020 and is now into his third season, building hands-on experience and a strong connection to the ocean and the fishery.
Reuben loves what he does and is passionate about keeping the abalone industry strong into the future. As the youngest member of the Board, he brings a fresh perspective and is keen to see the industry remain sustainable, resilient, and appealing for the next generation of divers.
Eastern Zone Abalone Fishery – Overview
Victoria is home to one of the world’s last sustainable wild-catch abalone fisheries, with a proud history dating back to the early 1960s. The Eastern Zone abalone fishery has evolved over time, responding to environmental, social and economic challenges while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and responsible management.
In recent years, the fishery has adapted to a range of influencing factors, including:
- Market conditions affecting beach prices and profitability, such as strong export demand, increasing competition from aquaculture, currency fluctuations and rising operating costs
- Changing demographics and participation in recreational fishing, influencing demand and access
- Biosecurity risks, including the potential for abalone disease
- The establishment of Marine Protected Areas over traditional fishing grounds
- Increasing sea urchin populations along parts of the eastern coastline
How Abalone Are Harvested
Abalone in the Eastern Zone are hand-harvested by highly skilled commercial divers using “hookah” surface-supplied breathing systems. This method allows divers to remain underwater for extended periods while working safely and efficiently.
Each dive operation involves a diver and a dedicated deckhand (“deckie”), who plays a critical role in:
- Supervising vessel and diver safety
- Collecting, measuring and securing the catch
- Operating safety equipment and procedures
- Supporting and recovering the diver
Divers use a specialised tool to carefully remove abalone from the reef. This tool includes minimum size gauges to ensure only legally sized abalone are taken, in accordance with the Fisheries Regulations 2019. Abalone are collected in catch bags, and divers must take care to minimise damage to the reef, surrounding habitat and other marine life.
To learn more about how the fishery is managed refer to Victorian Fishery Authority (VFA) – Victorian Wild Harvest Abalone Fishery Management Plan
Diver Safety
Abalone diving is a physically demanding and high-risk occupation. One of the primary risks is decompression sickness (“the bends”), a condition caused by the formation of gas bubbles in the body due to changes in pressure during or after a dive. This condition can affect multiple organs and varies in severity from mild to life-threatening.
Strict safety protocols, training and operational discipline are essential to managing these risks.
Compliance and Illegal Fishing
Illegal fishing (poaching) has historically posed a significant threat to the sustainability and integrity of the abalone fishery and remains an ongoing concern.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) is responsible for compliance and enforcement. It delivers an intelligence-led program targeting serious and organised illegal activity, working closely with other jurisdictions to protect the fishery.
The community also plays an important role. Suspected illegal fishing can be reported via the VFA’s 24-hour hotline: 13 FISH (13 3474).
VFA Abalone Fishery Overview
VFA how to report illegal fishing
Sea Urchin Management and Changing Oceans
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bi0inLtjPY
Changing ocean conditions are impacting the Eastern Zone fishery. In particular, the strengthening East Australian Current has contributed to an increase in sea urchin populations along parts of the coastline, leading to the formation of “urchin barrens”—areas where grazing has stripped reefs of productive habitat.
For many years the abalone fishery has funded urchin culling activity to reduce the sea urchin population numbers and in an effort to restore the kelp habitat relied on by many ocean species.
Funding efforts raised close to half a million dollars and restored an estimated 105 ha of reef area. This is the equivalent of approximately 42 MCG’s which is considered very significant on the global scale.
Targeted removal of sea urchins from selected reefs has shown promise in restoring habitat. However, maintaining these areas may require ongoing, periodic management.
Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) are working with Victoria Sea Urchin Divers Association (VSUDA) on strategies to increase harvesting sea urchins.
Looking Ahead
The Eastern Zone abalone fishery continues to adapt to a changing marine environment while maintaining its commitment to sustainability, productivity and responsible stewardship. Through collaboration between industry, scientists and regulators, the fishery remains well-positioned to meet future challenges.