Julien Vignier and Lizenn Delisle at Cawthron Institute's Te Wero research facility Photo: Cawthron Institute
Research is underway to combat a virus that's devastated New Zealand's multimillion-dollar Pacific oyster industry.
Nelson's Cawthron Institute has been granted $1 million over three years from MBIE's Endeavour Fund to develop a practical vaccine for Pacific oyster mortality syndrome, also known as Poms. The disease was first recorded in New Zealand in 2010, and resulted in an initial loss of more than 70% of stock, and oyster farmers are still reported to be losing between 40 - 60 % of spat (young oysters).
Previously, a vaccine was thought impossible for shellfish. The vaccine in development will be a world first, with global commercial potential. Speaking to Kathryn Ryan is one of the project's co-leaders, Aquaculture Scientist, Julien Vignier from Cawthron Institute.
