OIA24-0723
25 October 2024
Patrick O'Connor
[FYI request #28622 email]
Dear Patrick
Thank you for your email of 2 October 2024 requesting information relating to ‘milky white
flesh syndrome’ affecting fish. Your request has been considered under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA).
Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) have completed investigations into the potential biosecurity
risk(s) of this issue in 2023. The main focus of BNZ’s investigation was to eliminate the
potential for biosecurity risks to be associated with this condition. Samples of finfish were
collected and tested at the Animal Health Laboratory (AHL). There was no evidence to
indicate a biosecurity concern regarding exotic diseases or infectious agents.
The main finding from affected fish was evidence of nutritional deficiencies. While an internal
parasite load was also observed, there is no evidence to suggest that any specific parasite is
linked to the milky-white flesh seen, or that there are any related biosecurity concerns
regarding these parasites. Worms are common in wild fish, and even if not seen, are present
in up to 90% of fish caught. Cooking or freezing fish prior to consumption considerably
reduces any risks these worms may pose to humans or animals.
Additionally, five milky fleshed snapper were analysed by New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS)
for bacteria which are known food safety hazards (
Escherichia coli, pathogenic
Vibrio
parahaemolyticus and
Vibrio vulnificus). These bacteria were not detected.
Please note, there is no evidence to suggest the affected fish have the potential to cause
harm to animals or to humans if New Zealand Food Safety’s food safety guidance for
seafood gatherers is follow
ed https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/1058-Food-safety-for-
seafood-gatherers.
Please note a NIWA research report into the milky flesh snapper is set to be proactively
released on MPIs website soon. This wil be available here:
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-
aquaculture/recreational-fishing/information-on-popular-fish-in-nz/snapper-status-and-
information/milky-white-flesh-in-snapper-and-some-other-
finfish/#:~:text=Reports%20of%20fish%20with%20milky,%22milky%20white%20flesh%20sy
ndrome%22.
You requested the following:
I am writing to request information regarding the "milky white flesh syndrome"
affecting fish caught since 2019 in the SNA1 quota management region.
Specifically, I would like to obtain any testing data related to the tissue concentration
of heavy metal lead levels in affected fish compared to healthy controls.
Charles Fergusson Building, 34-38 Bowen Street
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140, New Zealand
fisheries.govt.nz
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) role in biosecurity, incursions is to conduct investigations
and associated diagnostic testing to investigate for the presence of exotic pests and diseases.
From a New Zealand Food Safety perspective, MPI does not investigate or test for environmental
causes unless significant environmental changes occur, or have occurred, that may negatively
impact food safety, e.g. extreme weather events, monitoring for marine biotoxins, chemical spil .
In this instance as there was no noticeable change in the environment, the MPI does not have any
information regarding tissue concentrations of heavy metal lead levels in affected fish. We may
however make observations during diagnostic testing that indicate possible environmental
contamination. Environmental testing is generally completed by regional councils or commercial
laboratories. For more information on seafood monitoring can be found on the NZFS
websit
e:https:/ www.mpi.govt.nz/food-business/food-monitoring-surveil ance/monitoring-and-
testing-fish-and-seafood/.
Therefore, MPI is declining this portion of your request under section 18(g)(i) of the Act,
that the
information requested is not held by the department or venture or Minister of the Crown or
organisation and the person dealing with the request has no grounds for believing that the
information is either, held by another department (for itself and for a departmental agency hosted
by it or an interdepartmental executive board serviced by it) or interdepartmental venture or
Minister of the Crown or organisation, or by a local authority.
Please see attached as Appendix One the following documents:
• A summary statement for the first sampling round of 10 November 2022
• A summary statement for the second sampling round of 31 January 2023
• A summary statement for the third sampling round of 31 January 2023
• A summary statement for the fourth sampling round of 31 January 2023
• A summary statement for the final sampling round of 17 February 2023
• The document titled ‘Testing “milky” flesh fish – final report’ of March 2023
• The Incursion Investigation Report of 24 February 2023
• A summary of all reported sightings of milky flesh snapper
• Various test reports
Some information has been withheld pursuant to section 9(2)(a) of the OIA, to protect the
privacy of natural persons.
MPI is satisfied that in the circumstances of this case, the withholding of the information is
not outweighed by other considerations which render it desirable in the public interest to
make the information available.
Should you have any concerns with this response, I would encourage you to raise these with
the Ministry for Primary Industries at
[email address]. Alternatively, you
are advised of your right to also raise any concerns with the Office of the Ombudsman.
Contact details are: Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143 or at
[email address].
Yours sincerely
Fleur Francois
Director, Diagnostics Readiness & Surveil ance
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