| Bluff
oyster prices are likely to rise in New Zealand this winter as a
result of two levies for research and development paid by the quota
holders. Last year a dozen oysters retailed at around NZD 11 per
dozen, but this year purchasers of the new season’s oysters may well
pay more. One of the levies is
from the
Ministry of Fisheries (MFish). Last
week quota holders received a revised levy from the MFish,
increasing its total charge to quota owners from NZD 158,257 for the
2000-2001 season to NZD 376,740 for the 2001-2002 season, excluding
GST. |
The size of the increased levy
from MFish has
upset the Bluff oyster fishermen. (Photo:Bluff Co) |
Bluff Oyster Management Company
chairman Mr Skeggs said the company had asked the Ministry for a
breakdown of the levy. He believed a lot of the cost was to pay for a
survey last year which counted the number of oysters in Foveaux Strait
and checked the extent of bonamia, a parasite which killed oysters.
"Quota holders were aware there would be an increased levy from the
ministry this year," Mr Skeggs said. "However, the company was surprised
at how high the levy was."
Quota holders also paid a levy to fund
Seafic, which was normally about 0.525 per cent of port price. This year
the company had opted to pay four per cent extra to Seafic. The four per
cent would come back to the Management Company to use for research and
development. Mr Skeggs said quota owners would decide what the Seafic
money would be spent on. Projects, which were likely to take priority,
were bonamia research and the return of oyster shells to Foveaux Strait.
"The company hopes to eventually control all of its research," Mr Skeggs
added.
The increase in oyster prices will also
be a result of higher fuel and freight costs.
The size of the increased levy from MFish
has upset the Bluff oyster fishermen. Enterprise Fishing Co spokesman
Brent Fairweather told how his portion of the ministry levy had
increased from NZD 7740.84 last year to NZD 18,427.50 this year. "Oyster
prices have to go up," he commented. But he was caught as he had already
sent out his prices to customers before receiving the revised increase
from the ministry last week.
But there was some good news for the
fishermen. The results from last year’s survey show that in some areas
the oyster beds had rejuvenated extremely well.
The season opens 24 March. |
