Oysters to be culled urgently; is it too late?
Millions of oysters will be urgently removed from Stewart Island to stop the spread of a deadly parasite but it may not be fast enough, the community says.
The Ministry for Primary Industries announced yesterday the oysters would be removed from marine farms in Big Glory Bay to prevent the spread of Bonamia ostreae.
The response team would arrive on Tuesday.
Direct Fish and Oysters owner William Calder, who fishes wild oysters from Foveaux Strait, said infection could still reach the iconic Bluff oyster.
‘‘I would have thought it would have been faster. I thought they would arrive tomorrow.’’
Calder said he hoped the ministry used the experience and the expertise of the marine farmers.
Sampling to date has found no evidence of Bonamia ostreae in Bluff oysters in Foveaux Strait, but the ministry was continuing sampling and surveillance.
Calder said the wild oysters, known as the iconic Bluff oysters, could be infected if the parasite spread.
With ‘‘a bit of luck’’, they could be saved, he said.
‘‘[This] is definitely going to help us have a chance.’’
Some farmers had mussels in the same waters, which would have to be removed as well, Calder said. ‘‘It’s going to be a massive job.’’ Marlborough oysters infected by Bonamia ostreae would be uplifted under the same operation.
Compensation, under the Biosecurity Act, was a matter the ministry would discuss with affected farmers.
Flat oysters are farmed in Big Glory Bay and Marlborough, however, mussels form the bulk of the marine farming operations in those areas and would have to be removed too.
Bluff Oyster Management Company operations manager Graeme Wright said his sympathy went to the marine farmers affected.
However, the company’s responsibility was to ensure the survival of the Foveaux wild fishery, Wright said.
‘‘We would not have been pressing for this if we didn’t think there was a chance to save the fishery.’’
He said it was ‘‘a tough call’’ but it was a science-based one.
Millions of oysters would be removed, he said.
‘‘Time will tell, but it’s the only step and we really applaud the ministry for making this decision.’’
Sanford Ltd corporate communications manager Fiona MacMillan said Sanford was the second-largest quota holder for the Bluff wild oyster fisheries as well as being part of a joint venture in one of two farms that were in the affected area.
‘‘We’ve got the information from MPI, they’ve made the decision and we understand we’re going to hear a lot more about how it will be carried out next week.’’
Ministry director of readiness and response services Geoff Gwyn said there was a risk the parasite could spread to other farms, and increased the threat to the wild population of oysters.
‘‘Removing all of the flat oyster stocks from the marine farms in Big Glory Bay significantly reduces this risk,’’ Gwyn said.
‘‘We appreciate enthusiasm from the local community and offers of help.
‘‘The removal of the affected oysters without causing further spread is a very particular process and will require expert direction.’’