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. POMS can spread rapidly through the water column, as well as through live and dead oysters. 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 Denmark, France 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.
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. POMS can spread rapidly through the water column, as well as through live and dead oysters. 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.