Oyster farmers reaching “breaking point”

Oyster farmer Jim Aitken said Watercare’s, and by default Auckland Council’s, continued sewage discharges were a huge failure of duty of care, which had damaged both organisations’ reputations. Watercare directors could face legal action as desperate Mahurangi oyster farmers explore all options to save their businesses. A delegation of farmers told Auckland Council’s Governing Body on June 26 that they are facing financial ruin after more than 1.8 million litres of untreated sewage was discharged by Watercare into the Mahurangi River, in central Warkworth, between January and April this year. ...