The Australian Oyster Coast, an innovative Australian company set up to promote the South East NSW oyster industry is now receiving a lot of well deserved attention. Australia’s Oyster Coast were formed in 2013 by leading oyster growers from eight estuaries south of Sydney, and now boasts over 40 growers as shareholders and a strong management team of business professionals. The farming collective grow high quality oysters under rigorous environmental management systems in some of the world’s cleanest waters producing three premium oyster species for export to selected outlets and restaurants across Asia: the Sydney Rock Oyster , the Angasi Oyster, and the Pacific Oyster. The Eurobodalla has seen a marked increase in "farm gate" interest in our local oysters and suppliers have opened outlets up and down the coast to allow visitors to the area an opportunity to sample their wares. Recent "pop-ups" such as the Ralston Bros Oyster Bar at the Batemans Bay marina are adding to the visitor experience and educating the palette of new comers to the South Coast produce. Australian Oyster Coast now has a website that invites visitors to enjoy the Oyster Trail of the South Coast growers from the Shoalhaven down to Womboyn encouraging Delighting visitors to the Clyde River are the kayak tours of the oyster leases conducted by Region X.
Above: Josh Waterson from Region X takes you on a tour of the Clyde Oyster leases. Video published with kind permission of Region X
Environmental sustainability is critical to the future of Australia’s Oyster Coast. Australia’s Oyster Coast oyster growers are committed to maintaining the highest environmental standards in the world in terms of the way their businesses operate and the quality of the surrounding environment. There’s a big role the community can play in helping to maintain these high standards. Australia’s Oyster Coast visitors and locals all interact with the aquatic environments within which Australia’s Oyster Coast oysters are grown. For this reason, Australia’s Oyster Coast has developed and deploys a number of education and awareness programs targeted at schools, recreational users of the estuary, and the general community. What you can do to help oyster growers and the oyster industry: Sewage – do not pollute the estuary with sewage. Go before you go – use the toilets provided. If you get caught short, dispose of all waste responsibly. Boat wash – minimise boat wash on the estuary to prevent damage to oyster lease infrastructure and erosion of the bank. Respect the wildlife – navigate the estuary with consideration for the wildlife. Respect oyster leases – do not tie up to lease poles, touch farming infrastructure or the oysters. Penalties for oyster theft can be a $250,000+ fine or 6 months imprisonment. Report theft or suspicious activity around oyster leases to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Source (reprinted with permission)
