Bluff oyster beds recovering

Press, 27 June 1987, Page 8

Bluff oyster beds recovering

The Bluff oyster beds were recovering from the bonamia infestation which had threatened their future, said the general manager of the New Zealand Fishing Industry Board, Mr Nick Jarman, yesterday. '7'■■<? Although the oyster fleet would still be on a reduced quota this season, it was hoped things would be back to normal next year, he said. The number of oysters allowed to be taken from the beds was reduced from 115,000 sacks for the 23 boats to 64,400 last season because of the disease.

happen to the Bluff beds.

Scientists of the Ministry of Fisheries told the Foveaux Strait oyster advisory committee yesterday that the oysters were now recovering. Evidence showed the beds had been subjected to bonamia attacks for thousands t of years but'had always recovered. - ■ Because a large number of oysters had been killed by the disease, breeding stock in the beds was low and would need another year to recover fully, said Mr Jarman. The 64,400sack quota would have to stand for another season. Some people .would have wanted the .full quota reinstated this year but it was good news that the oysters Were recovering, he said. .

Mr Jarman said bonamia had wiped out some oyster beds in Europe and;it had been feared the same would