The Government has ordered the urgent removal of all flat oyster stocks from marine farms in Big Glory Bay on Stewart Island over a parasite threatening the wild Bluff oyster fishery.
The virulent European strain of Bonamia ostreae has been in the Marlborough Sounds and Nelson since 2015.
The lethal strain was detected in two Stewart Island marine farms causing panic among Bluff oyster fishers.
"We acknowledge the strong feeling among locals to act quickly, however, our main consideration has been establishing the best process for the removal of the oysters," Ministry of Primary Industries' Geoff Gwyn says.
"The last thing the community and industry needs is a rushed removal process that causes more harm than good."
MPI says sampling to date has found no evidence of the parasite in the wild Foveaux Strait fishery which is separate from the Stewart Island farms but is continuing their surveillance.
Flat oysters in the affected farms can still be harvested for consumption if they are of harvest age but that is at the discretion of those individual farmers.
MPI says it will be discussing the process for applying for compensation with the affected farmers in Big Glory Bay, and Marlborough.
Newshub.
