A prohibition on the movement of Pacific oysters and oyster farming equipment sourced from Tasmania has been implemented in South Australia to safeguard its AUD 32 million (USD 24.7 million, EUR 22.2 million) oyster growing industry.
The state government has extended the “Declaration of a Livestock Standstill in Relation to Pacific Oysters” until 31 March 2017, following the detection of Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) in Tasmania on 1 February 2016.
The Livestock Order Notice was first issued on 5 February 2016 in an immediate response to the POMS virus outbreak in Tasmania – a disease that spreads quickly and causes high mortalities in farmed oysters.
A number of biosecurity measures are in place to limit the risks associated with the potential introduction of infected Pacific Oysters into South Australia.
According to South Australia authorities, citizens can play a vital role in helping keep the state disease free by:
- Never discarding or storing live oysters that they are carrying in any South Australia waters
- Not using Pacific oysters, even when dead, such as for bait
- Not ordering any live Pacific oysters online from Tasmanian retailers or growers for distribution or consumption in South Australia
- Regardless of the point of purchase, checking the origin of any oysters they are carrying and dispose of any Tasmanian-sourced live oysters into landfill or at quarantine stations across South Australia
South Australia is the only oyster growing state in Australia to remain POMS-free, following the outbreak in Tasmania earlier this year and an outbreak in New South Wales in 2010.
POMS, which only affects Pacific oysters and has no human health implications, would have significant economic impact to the South Australian oyster growing industry if introduced, as the disease, causes rapid and high mortalities.
South Australian oyster farmers previously relied on Tasmanian hatcheries for their supply of Pacific oyster spat. Since the ban was introduced in February, the state’s industry has grown to respond to the shortfall of spat available to South Australian growers.
In May, the state government committed AUD 320,000 (USD 246,884, EUR 221,544) in funding to help two South Australia hatcheries increase spat production, while the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), a division of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA), commenced operations to also support the industry.
PIRSA has been working in close collaboration with the South Australia Oyster Growers Association (SAOGA), and local oyster growers, to effectively and efficiently address the continued threat of POMS to the state’s oyster aquaculture industry.
“Since the outbreak first occurred, PIRSA and SAOGA have been working tirelessly to address all issues associated with POMS and safeguard our local industry,” said Roger Paskin, chief veterinary officer at PIRSA. “South Australia has very strong biosecurity systems in place and the extension of this livestock standstill is a vital measure to further minimize the risk of POMS entering South Australia.”
SAOGA Executive Officer Trudy McGowan added, “We welcome the state government’s extension on the ban of Pacific Oysters and oyster farming equipment from Tasmania in order to maintain our state’s POMS-free status. Our industry has faced significant challenges since the detection of POMS in Tasmania in February – challenges that have been met head on and have resulted in positive outcomes for our industry and local solutions to address shortages in spat needed for the state’s oyster growing industry.”
