dj mccoubrey micro

Slide1: 

Water Quality? Dorothy-Jean McCoubrey

STOCK TAKE AND PREDICTIONS ON COASTAL WATER QUALITY: 

STOCK TAKE AND PREDICTIONS ON COASTAL WATER QUALITY Past, present and future North and South Islands Joint project industry 50 years? Since 1967

HISTORY: 

HISTORY 1920s – typhoid and cholera in USA (oysters) NSSP born 1967 – rock oysters farmed in NZ 1970 – Pacific oysters & greenshell mussels (IQF) 1974 – export options? 1980 – MOU with USA 1991 – NZ standard, RMA, Waikare Inlet 2001 – Waikare Inlet reclassified

Is Programme Working?: 

Is Programme Working? Overseas data – vibrios, viruses and marine biotoxins NZ data – in last 10 years only oysters caused a micro problem. Biotoxins an issue for mussels and clams. Viruses – Chile, Korea and NZ

Viruses: 

Viruses Human specific – sewage Very small – get into oyster flesh Difficult to analyze Survive well. Inadequate indicators. Thorough cooking

ESR VIRUS INFORMATION: 

ESR VIRUS INFORMATION Viruses are found in many areas around the coast. They can be found in oysters 8 -10 weeks after being taken to “clean” waters. Chronic vs discrete. Methods are getting better – cheaper, quicker, more sensitive. Not ready for regulation purposes. E coli shows good relationship early in event. Cross –contamination unlikely to occur between oysters.

MULTIVARIATE PROGRAMME: 

MULTIVARIATE PROGRAMME Sanitary survey Water and flesh sampling Regulatory management of harvest

How do we measure degradation?: 

How do we measure degradation? Sanitary survey – catchment changes? Water sampling information? Illness cases? Harvest days? Classification status?

ORONGO BAY CASE HISTORY: 

ORONGO BAY CASE HISTORY Sanitary survey – less animals, but more human influence Water sampling shows no changes – now on salinity criteria. No illnesses or market access issues in recent times. Number of closed days 1974 – nil 1994 – 33 2004 – 86 (50 days due to sewage)

Where do we measure/manage?: 

Where do we measure/manage? Pollution at entry? – e.g. sewage treatment plant Pollution at contact point? – at oyster farm Pollution with consumer – cooking instructions? Currently shellfish legislation is at farm

MICRO RESULTS VERIFY: 

MICRO RESULTS VERIFY MPN VARIANCE!! (10%) DO YOU LET THE GUILTY GO FREE OR HANG THE INNOCENT?

HOW TO MANAGE RESULTS: 

HOW TO MANAGE RESULTS Stage I – check results! Stage II – assess the data in context (high in all results – close, low level – resample, field visits). Stage III – assess trends over time. Consider applicable data.

GOOD DECISIONS ARE………..: 

GOOD DECISIONS ARE……….. Timely. Considered – with all public health risk information. Documented and available for scrutiny.

Better indicators: 

Better indicators Sanitary survey Water and flesh information Closure days. Some measurement of other agencies – regional/district councils?

Who Manages the other sources?: 

Who Manages the other sources? RMA 1991 No person may discharge any- (a) Contaminant or water into water; or (b) Contaminant onto or into land in circumstances which may result in that contaminant (or any other contaminant emanating as a result of natural processes from that contaminant) entering water; or (c) Contaminant from any industrial or trade premises into air; or (d) Contaminant from any industrial or trade premises onto or into land- unless the discharge is expressly allowed by a rule [in a regional plan and in any relevant proposed regional plan], a resource consent, or regulations.

Slide19: 

MfE – NZ Coastal Policy Sustainable water policy Regional and District Councils Coastal Plans, etc

Our Role as Scientists: 

Our Role as Scientists Capacity to change things Promote a better environment in which to live

Do they know or care???: 

Do they know or care??? What are contaminants? Who measures them? Do other stakeholders really understand what industry need? Does industry know what it wants and how to ask for it?

Our ChallengeClear flow of information: 

Our Challenge Clear flow of information