Scallop Festival won't be affected by suspected parasite

Scallop Festival won't be affected by suspected parasite.

The Whitianga Scallop Festival, Coromandel's annual, iconic seafood festival will not be affected by reports a parasitic virus being detected in some scallop beds.

The Festival will be held on Saturday 19 September with more than 60 cuisine stands, along with seafood cooking demonstrations from iconic chefs, including Ray McVinnie and Masterchef 2014 winners Karena and Kasey Bird.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) took samples of scallop populations around Great Barrier Island, Mercury Island in the Coromandel and Pelorus Sound in the South Island which found some scallops had been affected by Perkinsus olseni.

This is a parasite that can infect molluscs and is found in other shellfish species around the North Island and the top of the South Island. It affects the shellfish development but doesn't pose a food safety risk.

"We have been in ongoing talks with our scallop suppliers and it is business as usual," says Scallop Festival organiser Linda Simonsen. "Our main supplier takes his scallop quota from outside the affected area."

Ticket sales are tracking well ahead of last year, which is extremely positive. You don’t want to miss out on the delectable scallops along with other tasty morsels that will be available at this year’s festival.

"The festival is going to be a great event with a variety of foods, live music and cooking demonstrations," she says.

Tickets for the festival are available through from our official website here or from the event finder website here and from The Lost Spring Shop in Whitianga.

ENDS

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