Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Bonamia ostreae response update – Thursday 29 June

Bonamia ostreae response update – Thursday 29 June

The second week of operational activity to remove flat oysters from Big Glory Bay, Stewart Island continues to progress well. The oysters are being removed in a bid to halt the spread of Bonamia ostreae to the Foveaux Strait wild fisheries.

MPI field headquarters manager Catherine MacGowan says this week’s focus has been on phase two of the operation, which is removing the remaining cages.

“Almost 400 cages have been removed this week and we expect that, by the end of tomorrow, we will have removed 40 tonnes. This brings the overall total of removed material to around 80 tonnes.

“The next phase will move to uplifting ropes and strings. We met with farmers In Bluff and on Stewart Island this week to complete the planning for this stage and we hope to be able to start lifting ropes next week. Our approach will continue to be fine-tuned as the operation progresses.

“The removal operation is a huge task and we are thankful for the support of the community and assistance from oyster farmers to make it happen.

“Testing has also been a priority this week. Last week MPI responded to public concerns by committing to running an additional round of sampling and testing of wild oysters from Foveaux Strait. This week we completed the sampling and the samples are now at the lab for testing. We are expecting to have results within 3 weeks.

“Recent testing has also been done on oyster larvae from a hatchery in Bluff and nearby wild oysters. Bonamia ostreae was not detected. This testing was done to provide further assurance that the parasite is contained in Big Glory Bay.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“This operation is having a significant impact on the affected farmers, their families and staff and the wider community. MPI is working closely with the Rural Support Trust, government agencies, the city, district and regional councils and political leadership to ensure welfare services and support are available to anyone who needs it. This is a high priority for us.

“Stress and anxiety affect people differently so we encourage anyone feeling symptoms to ask for help early.

“MPI now has two primary industry recovery coordinators on the mainland, and are contracting a local Stewart Island Primary Industry Recovery Coordinator. These roles are focused on making sure welfare needs of the affected farmers are understood and met.

“The coordinators will be available at all times to provide support, including advice and information on how to access services from other support organisations, such as the Rural Support Trust and the Ministry of Social Development.

“In addition, MPI intends to contract a compensation specialist to be based in Southland to provide the affected farmers with further help on obtaining compensation.”

Planning is underway for the removal operation in Marlborough.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.