MPI releases plans for oysters
The removal of sick oysters from Stewart Island could take a lot longer than hoped, despite people in the fishing industry calling for urgency before Bonamia ostreae spreads.
It is feared iconic wild oysters could be wiped out if the infection reaches Foveaux Strait.
Yesterday, the Ministry for Primary Industries sent a notice of direction to farmers, laying down the ground rules for the harvest of all flat oysters in Big Glory Bay.
The ministry has directed farmers to carry out the removal themselves. However, it would help farmers develop the plans, but it must approve them.
A summary provided by the ministry says the removal would be carefully planned to ensure Bonamia ostreae would not spread further.
The document also detailed the ministry’s compensation policy. However, the ministry refused to release the document publicly yesterday.
Ministry readiness and response manager Geoff Gwyn said there was ‘‘no clear timeframe’’ in place for the removal of the oysters.
‘‘We are working with urgency. It is important to do this well, otherwise it could do more harm than good.’’
Harvesting would be carried out under the ministry’s supervision, Gwyn said.
There were no food safety issues with affected oysters, and they could still be sold for consumption, he said.
Many oysters harvested urgently might be unsuitable for sale, and would have to be destroyed.
‘‘This will be a commercial decision by individual farmers.’’
Gwyn said there were provisions for compensation under the Biosecurity Act, relating to losses arising from the exercise of powers under the act.
‘‘The amount depends upon what losses are occurred as result of any direction by MPI.’’
Affected parties would have to apply for compensation. ‘‘MPI will be talking through this process with affected farmers.’’
A ministry spokesperson said the existing movement controls and permitting system provided ‘‘a window of opportunity’’ to get the process right.
Sanford corporate communications manager Fiona MacMillan said it was still ‘‘digesting’’ the notice of direction from the industry.
Sanford is 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.
MacMillan said they could not answer questions until they knew more from the ministry themselves.
‘‘We hope to get that from meeting MPI in person over the next few days,’’ she said.
‘‘The notice is a framework but the detail will only become apparent when we talk to them.’’
The process would take ‘‘some time’’, she said.
‘‘They have asked us to come up with a plan, so we will need to do that and then get their approval.
‘‘This is a process that will take some time to be finalised and implemented.’’
Southland District mayor Gary Tong said there would be a meeting for oyster farmers in Bluff today.
The ministry was acting with enough urgency, Tong said.
‘‘My understanding is it could be quite a lot of logistics involved.’’
Yesterday, Tong was on Stewart Island for a district council community conversations meeting.
Tong said he spoke at length with people, for about an hour and a half, about the oyster removal.
‘‘They’re happy that the response is happening.’’