Shellfish disease found in Strangford Lough

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development can confirm the presence of a parasite disease which affects shellfish in Strangford Lough.

Following routine samples of wild native oysters taken from an oyster bed in Strangford Lough we can confirm that several oysters have tested positive for the parasite Bonamia Ostreae.

Bonamia Ostreae causes the disease Bonamiosis in native oyster stocks but does not have any clinical effect on any other species of shellfish. The disease does not affect mussels, scallops or pacific oysters.

The Department has introduced controls on the movement of molluscan shellfish from Strangford Lough to prevent the spread of the infection to other areas of Northern Ireland. It is not expected that the controls will interfere with current commercial activity. The controls will affect a very small number of fishermen on Strangford Lough.

The Food Standards Agency has confirmed that it is not aware of any public health implications associated with Bonamia Ostreae.

Notes to Editors:

1. Bonamia Ostreae is a natural occurring parasite that causes the disease Bonamiosis in native oysters (Ostrea Edulis). Bonamia Ostreae is widespread in oysters in continental Europe and also occurs in some oyster growing areas in the UK and Ireland.
2. Movement controls have been introduced prohibiting the movement of molluscan shellfish out of Strangford Lough for the purposes of relaying or re-immersion in the aquatic area, without the prior consent of the Department.
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