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1
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Background
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1.1
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The three year sunset clause technical directive 96/166, export of crab,
paua and kina – biotoxin requirements, issued 5 August 1996 is
replaced and cancelled by this technical directive
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1.2
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Crab, paua and kina are not bivalve molluscs and do not fall within the
definition of shellfish for the marine biotoxin programme. As such, the
current endorsement required on MAF certificates for bivalve molluscs, is
not relevant to the export of crab, kina and paua. Certification shall be
as for finfish.
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2
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Exports from Open Areas
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2.1
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Whole paua may be exported from a growing area that is not closed due to
marine biotoxins for the harvesting of bivalve molluscs.
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2.2
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Whole kina may be exported from a growing area that is not closed due to
marine biotoxins for the harvesting of bivalve molluscs.
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2.3
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Whole crab may be exported from a growing area that is not closed due to
marine biotoxins for the harvesting of bivalve molluscs.
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3
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Exports from Closed Areas
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3.1
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Paua that are harvested from a growing area which is closed to the
harvesting of shellfish, shall be shucked or degutted before packing for
export purposes. IAIS 003.5 requires that immediately after shucking
(paua, other than paua that is to be canned in a licensed premise) shall
be washed in potable water and drained . It is important that the paua be
washed thoroughly to remove any gut that may have contaminated the paua
during shucking. Inspectors should ensure companies are following the
requirements of this circular. Inspectors should also check that canneries
are taking steps (eg washing) to reduce any gut contamination of the paua.
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3.2
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Some paua products (eg paua fritters) contain a mixture of paua flesh and
gut. Those products which are processed from paua taken from an area which
is closed to the harvesting of shellfish are not to be exported or sold on
the domestic market. Inspectors that are aware of any of this type of
product on the domestic market should contact the local Public Health
Unit.
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3.3
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Crab meat only may be exported from a growing area which is closed to the
harvesting of shellfish. Inspectors should ensure that any company
processing crab for export is gutting the crab before cooking and flesh
removal.
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3.4
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Kina shall not be exported from a growing area which is closed to the
harvesting of shellfish.
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4
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Domestic Market
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4.1
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Crab flesh (from crab that has been gutted before cooking) can be sold on
the domestic market. The Ministry of Health has agreed that live crabs may
be sold on the domestic market and is advising consumers to gut the crab
before cooking. Instructions on how to gut crab are to be made available
(by the Fishing Industry Board) at outlets where live crabs are sold.
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5
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Action
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5.1
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Inspectors are to:
(i) Advise companies which produce any paua product containing gut,
which has been processed from paua taken from an area closed, for marine
biotoxin reasons, to the harvesting of shellfish, that this cannot be
exported nor sold on the domestic market.
(ii) Ensure that companies processing paua taken from an area which is
closed, for marine biotoxin reasons, to the harvesting of shellfish are
complying with the requirements of IAIS 003.5.
(iii) Ensure that companies that are exporting crabs, which have been
harvested from areas closed, for marine biotoxin reasons, to the
harvesting of shellfish, are gutting the crab before cooking and flesh
removal.
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6
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Implementation
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6.1
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Immediate
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