Aquaculture and Fish

Fish, Shellfish & Aquaculture Testing

Hill Labs is a RLP accredited laboratory with a wide range of tests to support the fishing and aquaculture industries. Fish, Shellfish (such as mussels, oysters, clams) and even seaweed are tested for compliance against domestic and/or export requirements. Commonly conducted analyses include chemistry testing for Maximum Residue Levels (MRL’s) particularly heavy metals, and Microbiological testing to ensure food safety.

Heavy Metal Testing

Water may become contaminated with heavy metals for many reasons. Many soil contaminants, such as heavy metals remain in biologically accessible states for extended periods of time, and are water-soluble, which means that they can bio-accumulate in fish and shellfish and potentially humans. As such testing soil, water, fruits and vegetables for heavy metals is commonplace. Hill Labs has an extensive suite of heavy metal tests for use on everything from soil through to honey. Our technical notes will help guide you through what test may be right for your needs.

Pathogen Testing

Hill Labs has an extensive array of pathogen-related tests that use either traditional culture, or molecular based detection. Our turnaround times are industry-leading and can be used with product or environmental swabs alike. Some of our routinely analysed pathogens are listed below:

  • Listeria species (by PCR)
  • Listeria monocytogenes (by PCR)
  • Salmonella (by PCR)
  • Aerobic plate count (APCs)
  • Enterobacteriaceae
  • Total coliforms
  • Faecal coliforms
  • E. coli
  • STEC E. coli ((including O157) by PCR)
  • Clostridium perfringens
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Camplyobacter

Pesticide Residue Testing

Hill Labs has extensive experience in the analysis of pesticide residues. We have developed award winning purification systems that ensure the best possible extraction of contaminants across the most diverse array of sample types available in New Zealand. Our test offering is IANZ accredited and suitable for use in both domestic and export-based situations. 

Contact us for more info

Helpful links

Our team of testing experts has meticulously crafted these documents to offer recommendations tailored to your testing requirements.

Latest Stories

Canterbury Anniversary Day

A friendly reminder that our Christchurch lab will be closed for Canterbury Anniversary Day on Friday 15th November. If you plan to send any time or temperature-sensitive samples, please ensure you schedule these to arrive before or after this date, to avoid delays.
  14 Nov 2024

Christmas Hours 2024/2025

With the holiday season fast approaching, our hours will differ from usual. Our opening hours over the 2024/2025 festive season can be found below.
  06 Nov 2024

Kea Kids News Reports on New Earthworm eDNA test

We were delighted to welcome young journalist Kadie and the Kea Kids News team to our Hamilton lab, where they burrowed into the fascinating world of soil health. Kadie, a Waikato primary school student, is part of Kea Kids News which produces news videos for kids, by kids.
  01 Nov 2024

What our customers have to say

"We've always found them to be responsive in getting results back and giving advice on problems we might be facing."

Andrew Hutchinson, Technical Manager, Turners & Growers

"We strongly recommend Hill Labs as a sound testing service provider to the honey industry."

Nick Walker, Technical Manager, Egmont Honey

"Their sample registration system has made things simple and seamless - collect, scan and send!"

Mathew Bannister, Compliance Manager, First Fresh New Zealand

Accreditations

As a New Zealand accredited laboratory by International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ), Hill Labs' commitment to quality is tantamount to our overall operating philosophy. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work.