Slow progress to remove infected oysters

An oyster industry representative is ‘‘disappointed’’ with progress to remove infected oysters from Southland and Marlborough.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are a third of the way through removing an estimated 5000 tonnes of oysters and mussels infected with Bonamia ostreae, six weeks after removal operations began, a spokesman said.

‘‘MPI concentrated on removing the highest risk material and prioritised that as part of our operations,’’ the spokesman said.

It was feared the parasite could wreak havoc on the wild oyster population in Foveaux Strait after it was detected in two oyster farms on Stewart Island last month.

Graeme Wright, Bluff Oyster Management Company operations manager, said the longer the infected shellfish were in the water, the higher the risk to the ‘‘last wild flat oyster fishery in the world’’.

‘‘To be honest, yes I am disappointed. A third of the way through in six weeks is not ideal,’’ Wright said.

The first oysters were pulled from infected farms in Big Glory Bay on June 19.

A controlled area notice remained in place for Stewart Island, restricting vessel movements from the region to other areas known to harbour Bluff oyster populations.

Ministry teams were still working with farmers and contractors in Marlborough and Southland, the spokesman said, and compen- sation could be available to those businesses that suffered ‘‘a financial loss due to directions MPI give under the Biosecurity Act’’.

‘‘MPI is keeping records of the numbers being removed to provide a fair and accurate measure of compensation,’’ he said.

The parasite was first detected in Marlborough in 2015. How it spread to Southland remained a mystery and an ‘‘active investigation’’ meant MPI was unable to comment on the suspected cause.