Download FAR 2014/49 The status of infection by bonamia (Bonamia exitiosa) in Foveaux Strait oysters (Ostrea chilensis) in February 2013

A survey of Foveaux Strait oysters in February 2013 sampled commercial fishery areas for oyster population size and bonamia. The recruit-sized oyster population increased from 585.3 million in 2012 to 644.9 million in 2013. The density of pre-recruit and small oysters decreased. Mortality from bonamia was about 107 million oysters (13.9% of the recruit-sized oyster population), higher than for recent surveys. Increasing bonamia mortality will slow the rebuilding of the fishery.