Fisheries Minister Joe Helper is soon expected to announce the closure between Aire River and White Cliffs for up to three months.

The virus, first found in ocean stocks west of Port Fairy three years ago, has cost the commercial abalone industry tens of millions of dollars in lost income and jobs.

Divers have had their quotas slashed and have had to seek other work along with deckhands and other employees.

The area between the Crags and Killarney is already off limits to divers and other fishing industry workers as part of an enforced control system.

Lady Julia Percy Island is the only Warrnambool-Portland region still open for abalone harvesting.

Mr Helper said it was hoped the new closure would minimise the risk of people spreading the virus through abalone harvesting, lobster potting and other fishing activities.

He said there were early signs abalone stocks around Port Fairy were recovering.

According to Victorian Abalone Divers Association executive officer Vincent Gannon, results of a scientific survey on the area should be released soon.

"It will give a clearer picture of where things are at," he said.

"Hopefully with the new exclusion the virus will burn itself out.

"It hasn't moved further west of Discovery Bay since December 2007. We are cautiously optimistic and have appreciated the co-operation of other fishing industry groups."

Mr Gannon said the cause of the virus still had not been determined.

"Whether it's exotic or endemic, the real issue is how you manage it when it's here," he said. "Our industry in Victoria involves 71 licensed divers, 71 deckhands, 12 factories and other investors. The disease has cost tens of millions of dollars."