“The action taken by Fresh is Best was negligent and a serious breach of the controlled area notice,” Orr said.
“Bonamia ostreae has had a significant effect on the flat oyster population and we all need to do our part to prevent it from spreading and threatening the future of the natural resource and industry. The movement controls are well understood by the industry and have been in place across areas of the South Island since 2015.”
The ministry’s investigation began in 2024 when a biosecurity inspector discovered evidence consignments of green-lipped mussels were being moved illegally by a group of seafood producers, transporters and processors.
The sentencing was the last in a major investigation that resulted in four other companies being convicted over similar offending, MPI said.