The Marine Institute is investigating a potential case of a fatal parasite in a wild oyster bed in Lough Foyle.
The Institute stresses that while the microscopic single-celled parasite, Bonamia ostrea, can result in heavy mortalities in the affected oyster stocks it has no impact on the taste or edibility of the oyster and poses no health risk to consumers.
This is the first possible incidence of the parasite in Lough Foyle and was picked up through the Institute’s routine monitoring.
Samples have been sent to France for confirmation and, in the meantime, a spokesman for the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources confirmed that the movement of shellfish in or out of the lough will be halted.
Bonamia ostrea has a wide geographic distribution taking in sectors of both the east and west coasts of the US, continental Europe and many parts of the English and Irish coastlines. Currently there are six Irish beds identified as positive for Bonamia.
The parasite is transmitted through proximity and there is currently no known treatment.
Definitive results for Lough Foyle are expected the week commencing the 13th June 2005.