By Alex Blucher Updated February 02, 2016 19:41:16 An oyster disease capable of wiping out the Tasmanian industry has been found in the state for the first time. Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS), which is not harmful to humans, has been confirmed at one lower Pittwater farm, a major growing region in the south-east. The viral disease has killed all 2.5 million oysters at Ironstone Oyster's lower Pittwater lease and job losses could follow. Oysters Tasmania's chief executive Neil Stump said it was devastating for the grower. "There's a lot of angst, there's definitely a severe impact on their business and a lot of uncertainty," he said. It is unclear if the disease originated from this farm or spread to the lease from elsewhere in the state. Mr Stump said it was likely other oyster deaths reported at nearby farms were also caused by POMS. "There are also smaller mortalities reported on one of the other leases .... and reports on other leases in this area," he said. POMS can spread rapidly through the water column, as well through live and dead oysters. Tasmania has so far been free of the disease, which wiped out entire oyster leases and cost growers millions of dollars when it hit rivers in News South Wales in recent years. It was first discovered in Australia in the Georges River in 2010, and has since caused massive commercial oyster losses in the Hawkesbury River and Parramatta River. Biosecurity Tasmania is investigating how it entered the state, the impact of recent changeable weather conditions and whether other areas were affected. Now the priority is to find out where the disease is. Rod Andrewartha Chief Veterinary Officer The detection in Tasmania prompted New South Wales and POMS-free South Australia to ban imports of Tasmanian oyster spat. Tasmania's chief veterinary officer Rod Andrewartha said all efforts were focused on finding out which other areas were affected. "We'll be working with those states to try and get as much trade resumed as we can, but now the priority is to find out where the disease is," he said. Biosecurity Tasmania is currently testing samples from other leases which have reported high mortalities. The table oyster industry is worth $26 million at the farm gate, and the export of seed stock is a significant additional income for some growers. Tasmanian hatcheries are the major suppliers of spat to South Australia for pacific rock oysters. South Australia and Tasmania have also banned oyster transfers between farms to stop potential spread. Mr Stump said the industry would ask the State Government to step in. "We will be approaching the State Government, to see what assistance they can provide the impacted growers directly, but the wider industry too to help us get over this initial event and then how we can plan for the future management of the industry," he said. "There will be need for some assistance for individual growers, there's no doubt about that, and we will be seeking that from the State Government. "It may be financial relief from paying fees up front ...we'll be having discussions around that." Topics: fishing-aquaculture, tas First posted February 02, 2016 11:03:05
An oyster disease called Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) capable of wiping out the Tasmanian industry has been found in the state for the first time; while it is not harmful to humans, it has killed all 2.5m oysters at Ironstone Oysters' lower Pittwater lease, and job losses are expected to follow. The discovery was made by a team from the University of Tasmania, which analysed data collected between 2006 and 2012 on more than 100 sites around Tasmania. Tasmania had so far been free of the disease, which wiped out entire oyster leases and cost growers millions of dollars when it hit rivers in New South Wales recently; it has previously hit farms in France, Denmark and Norway. The Tasmanian oyster industry alone produces 4 million dozen oysters each year, with an estimated 'farm gate' value of AUD 24m ($17m). This follows a report warning that tiny pieces of plastic in the ocean are impacting oyster reproduction.