A Canterbury company that illegally supplied around 259 tonnes of live green-lipped mussels from a restricted area to an exporter has been fined $24,000 for biosecurity breaches.
Aroma Aquaculture Limited was sentenced in the Christchurch District Court today on one representative charge under the Biosecurity Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
The court heard the company supplied 27 consignments — totalling about 259,000kg — of live mussels to licensed fish receiver and exporter Ikana New Zealand Limited.
The movement of the shellfish breached biosecurity controls designed to prevent the spread of the parasite Bonamia ostreae, which has significantly affected the flat oyster fishery.
MPI acting director of investigations and compliance support Aleshea Allen said the rules had been well understood by the industry for years.
"Bonamia ostreae has had a significant effect on the flat-oyster fishery, and we all need to do our part to prevent it from spreading. The movement controls are well understood by industry and have been in place across areas of the South Island since 2015."
Ikana New Zealand Limited, which did not have a permit to receive the shellfish, was fined $30,000 in March for its role in the offending.
The investigation began after a biosecurity inspector uncovered evidence of illegal shellfish movements involving multiple operators, including producers, transporters and processors.
MPI found the offending stemmed from a direct business arrangement between Aroma Aquaculture and Ikana New Zealand.
Allen said the breaches had the potential to cause serious harm.
"Aroma Aquaculture’s actions had the potential to damage both the natural environment and the reputation of New Zealand’s multi-million-dollar shellfish industry," she said.
"The vast majority of operators follow the rules, and when we find evidence of offending, we will take action."
SHARE ME