The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) is making good progress testing oysters sampled from Foveaux Strait for Bonamia ostreae. 2,800 samples were collected from 15 sites and are now being tested for the presence of the parasite at NIWA’s laboratories in Wellington. The sampling was based on a scientific plan, targeting the collection of oysters from areas in the Strait that represent different habitats, environmental factors and oyster characteristics. This detailed surveillance plan gives us confidence that the results of this further sampling will help us more accurately understand the disease status of the oyster population in Te Ara a Kiwa/Foveaux Strait.
