March 6, 2018

Oyster virus detected in South Australia

The Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) virus has been detected in feral Pacific oysters in South Australia. However, the virus has not been detected in oyster farming areas, according to the government agency Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA).

PIRSA has banned the removal of all bivalve organisms (oysters, mussels, cockles) from South Australia's affected Port River to reduce the risk of POMS spreading, 

POMS causes rapid death and high mortality rates in Pacific Oysters. The disease spreads quickly if introduced and is a serious threat to the oyster farming industry, PIRSA said.

The first Australian case of POMS was recorded in 2010 in New South Wales, and the most recent outbreak in commercially grown oysters was detected in Tasmania in February 2016.

With the outbreak of POMS in Tasmania, the importation of all live oysters and oyster farming equipment from that island state into South Australia was immediate banned. This ban remains in place and is critical to protect South Australia's growing A$32-million (US$25.07-million) oyster industry.

PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture Executive Director Sean Sloan clarified that no commercial oyster-growing regions are currently affected by the virus. "There are no disruptions to the supply of South Australian oysters for sale, and healthy table oysters continue to be processed for human consumption", he said.

"PIRSA will continue to monitor and test oysters in the Port River, and any other possible areas of risk. All strategies to mitigate the risk of spread of the virus are being investigated", he added.