Court fines Christchurch processor
A Christchurch seafood processor has been fined $20,000 after admitting multiple breaches of New Zealand’s biosecurity rules involving green lipped mussels.
Ikana New Zealand Limited, a licensed fish receiver and seafood processing company, pleaded guilty to nine charges under the Biosecurity Act in the Christchurch District Court following an investigation by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
The charges relate to the company accepting mussels from the Upper South Contained Zone without the permits required under disease control regulations.
MPI Director of Investigations and Compliance Support Gary Orr said the company had arranged the movement of shellfish it was not authorised to receive.
“Ikana New Zealand Limited arranged the movement of live green lipped mussels from the Upper South Contained Zone, which regulations prohibit them from doing,” Orr said.
“This was because Ikana did not have a permit to receive this seafood for processing and the company supplying the shellfish also did not have a permit to supply it.”
More than 239 tonnes of mussels are involved
MPI investigators found the Christchurch company had received 27 consignments of live mussels weighing more than 239,000 kilograms.
The shellfish were destined for export markets.
The movement breached the Bonamia Ostreae Controlled Area Notice, which regulates shellfish movement in parts of the South Island.
The notice was introduced in 2015 to limit the spread of Bonamia ostreae, a parasite that has severely affected populations of flat oysters.
New Zealand’s aquaculture industry relies heavily on strict biosecurity controls to maintain market access and protect wild fisheries.
Green lipped mussels are one of the country’s most valuable seafood exports, while flat oysters have already suffered major losses from the Bonamia parasite, particularly in the Bluff fishery.
Movement restrictions are designed to prevent the disease spreading into new areas or affecting other shellfish operations.
Export sector risk highlighted
MPI said the illegal movement of the mussels had the potential to cause wider damage to the industry.
“These green lipped mussels were for export, and the unlawful movement of this shellfish had potential to cause serious reputational harm to the New Zealand shellfish industry,” Orr said.
Investigation began in 2024
The case began in October 2024, when a biosecurity inspector discovered that shellfish were being transported without the required permits.
MPI said the aquaculture companies that supplied the mussels are also facing charges under the Biosecurity Act. Those matters remain before the courts, along with several other associated companies.
Orr said most operators in the seafood industry follow the rules that govern harvesting, transport and processing.
“The vast majority of people who work in the commercial fishing industry are responsible and follow the regulations,” he said.
“Ikana’s action was negligent and the unlawful shellfish had the potential to cause serious harm to the reputation of our country’s shellfish industry.”
“When we find evidence of offending, we take action.”
