Oyster cull from Marlborough Sounds almost finished

The removal of oysters from the Marlborough Sounds to prevent the spread of the parasite Bonamia ostreae is nearing a close with 220 tonnes of material now dumped.

The clean-out of the oyster farms has been underway since July requiring oysters in their shells, cages, ropes and equipment to be raised from the oyster farms, disinfected and sealed, and trucked into Blenheim for burial at the landfill.

Marlborough District Council Solid Waste Manager Alec McNeil says the whole exercise had gone smoothly although it had taken longer than expected.

Small quantities of live oysters still remain in the water and a decision was awaited as to whether they too will have to be removed.

ENDS.

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