A Christchurch based mussel farming company has been fined $24,000 after illegally supplying about 259 tonnes of live green lipped mussels from a restricted area, in breach of biosecurity rules designed to stop the spread of a parasite that has devastated New Zealand’s flat oyster fishery.

Aroma Aquaculture Limited, which has headquarters in Bromley, was sentenced in the Christchurch District Court today on one representative charge under the Biosecurity Act, following a prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Company director Ben Winters appeared at sentencing.

MPI’s acting director of investigations and compliance support, Aleshea Allen, said the company had supplied 27 consignments totalling about 259,000 kilograms of live green lipped mussels to licensed fish receiver and exporter Ikana New Zealand Limited.

“The movement of the shellfish was in breach of movement controls in place to prevent the spread of Bonamia ostreae,” Allen said.

Ikana New Zealand Limited did not have a permit to receive the shellfish and was fined $30,000 in March for its part in the offending.

“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,” Allen said.

The investigation began when a biosecurity inspector found evidence that consignments of green lipped mussels were being moved illegally by a group of seafood producers, transporters and processors.

“Our investigation found shellfish were moved in breach of biosecurity regulation as a result of a direct business arrangement between the management of Aroma Aquaculture and Ikana New Zealand,” Allen said.

“The vast majority of people who work in the aquaculture industry are responsible and do the right thing by following all rules and regulations.”

“Aroma Aquaculture’s actions had the potential to cause serious harm to both the natural environment, and to the reputation of our country’s multi million dollar export and domestic shellfish industry. When we find evidence of offending, we take action.”