Barnes Wild Oysters manager Graeme Wright said multiple pressures, including low harvesting numbers, increases in the price of diesel and weather disruptions had led to the decision to finish the 2026 season three months early, after May 22.
‘‘Just to add all those things together, it is difficult and a really difficult decision to make for staff and things, but it’s the right decision.
‘‘We’ve come off the back of some high mortality years, but what we’re seeing this year is that the disease [bonamiosis] has backed right off and we’re not seeing any new mortality in the [Foveaux] Strait, so that supports that.’’
The company, which had lost about 15 days in April due to bad weather, wanted to ensure it was doing the ‘‘right thing’’ for the fishery, he said.
With about 30 staff impacted by the decision, it had not been an easy one to make, he said.
‘‘We’ve worked very closely with our science providers, Niwa [Earth Sciences New Zealand] and with the Ministry of Fisheries, so everyone knows what’s happening in this decision.
‘‘There’s no issues around sustainability — we do our annual surveys and there’s still lots and lots of oysters there.’’
The Barnes fleet, owned by six shareholders, holds about 60% of the Bluff oyster quota.
Ngai Tahu Seafood, which owns 20% of the quota, has not harvested oysters for the past two seasons over concerns about the resilience of the fishery. - Toni McDonald
