The Ministry for Primary Industries has started a cull of Stewart Island oysters to stop the spread of a deadly disease.
The kill off of the oysters will hopefully halt the spread of the parasite Bonamia ostreae.
The parasite was first discovered in Marlborough two years ago and last month was picked up on Stewart Island,.
The concern is that the disease could threaten the famous Bluff oyster industry.
The Bluff oyster industry has been pushing hard for a complete cull, saying it is the only possible way of stopping the infection from reaching Foveaux Strait.
The oysters in commercial farms would be collected by crane, and then securely transported by vessel and truck to a landfill in Bluff for disposal.
4 Responses
i like seafood
Wow that is sad I love oysters.
Well,guys
This oyster does spread disease!!!
I think that they should stop the oyster business in the infected areas because if they ship more in there might be parasites left on the land rather than animals.