Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

8. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for data on the prevalence of Bonamia Ostraea in shellfish in Irish coastal waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41358/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Bonamia ostreae, a parasitic organism that gives rise to Bonamiosis in oysters, has been present in native Irish oysters (Ostrea edulis) since the 1980s. It is widespread within Europe and also in the USA and Canada. The parasite was first diagnosed in Cork Harbour in 1987 following the detection of significant losses in native oysters. How or precisely when the parasite was introduced is unknown.

Subsequent to that, the pathogen spread steadily along the western seaboard to many of our native oyster growing areas. The exact route of spread is unknown but movement of infected animals, equipment and boats are all possible vectors.

Localised wild oyster beds have shown significant mortality (up to 80-90%). Other beds in the same infected areas have shown very little mortality. However, the most recent information available for these sites shows much lower, but still variable, rates of mortality.

The only areas with significant populations of native oysters that remain free of the parasite are Tralee Bay and Kilkieran Bay (Co. Galway). The Marine Institute operates a surveillance programme in these bays; consisting of annual sampling and testing. The programme has been running since the early ‘90s.

The pathogen is listed in Council Directive 2006/88/EC (On animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals) and by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Infection with the organism is, therefore, reportable and infected stocks are subject to control measures. Strict movement controls are in place in Ireland and it is mandatory to notify either suspicion of the presence of the disease to the Marine Institute or to report the presence of increased mortality in susceptible populations - in this case, the native oyster.