There are fears a parasite discovered on two Oyster farms near Stewart Island could spread to the wild Bluff Oysters growing in Foveaux Strait.
An emergency meeting was held in Wellington on Wednesday to develop a plan to stop that happening, and protect the delicacy.
Bluff Community Board Chairman Ray Fife says "There is potential there to wipe out the entire Oyster Bed in Foveaux strait".
The mortality rate for Oysters that contract bonamia is between 90 and 100 percent. Concerned Oystermen met in Bluff on Tuesday night and they're worried that not enough is being done to stop the disease spreading.
Southland Mayor Gary Tong says "If an Oyster dies that's when the disease is spread. So the more Oysters that die with this European strain will put considerable pressure on the Oyster industry."
There are worries what impact that could have on the Southland economy, and Mr Fife says it could be devastating.
"If it spread to the wild oyster beds it would mean a lot of job losses it would mean the end of the world famous Bluff Oyster, you'd liken it to the extinction of the Moa."
MPI says since the discovery they've issued a Controlled Area notice which restricts the movement of equipment, vessels and shell fish out of the affected area.
They are also looking at more drastic measures to stop the parasite spreading to the wild grown Oysters in Foveaux Strait - including ripping out the affected farms.
MPI's Director for readiness and response Geoff Gwyn Geoff Gwyn says "As you'd appreciate this is a pretty significant decision that will impact on whatever direction we take will affect a bunch of people's livelihoods and we want to be quite sure we are making the right decision."
It's a decision that can't come soon enough for the Southland Community, fearing they may lose a delicacy they rely upon for survival.
Newshub.
