Pacific Oyster culture in NSW

The NSW oyster industry is based predominantly on the cultivation of the Sydney Rock Oyster (Saccostrea glomerata), a species native to the NSW and southern Queensland coast. The industry is supplemented by a developing industry based on the cultivation of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) which was introduced to Australia and the cultivation of the native Flat Oyster (Ostrea angasi).

There is oyster aquaculture area currently in NSW estuaries spread along the entire length of the NSW coast from the Tweed River on the Queensland border to Wonboyn Lake adjacent to the Victorian border.

For a history of the NSW oyster industry and current management initiatives see the NSW Oyster Industry Sustainable Aquaculture Strategy.

The Pacific Oyster is an introduced species. Due to the overwhelming numbers of wild Pacific Oysters present at Port Stephens, permission was granted for aquaculture permit holders to cultivate Pacific Oysters in the estuary in 1990. In all other estuaries, only sterile triploid Pacific Oysters are permitted to be cultivated. Triploid Pacific Oysters are produced in hatcheries. The importation of Triploid Pacific Oysters into NSW is managed by aquatic biosecurity translocation protocols and aquaculture permit conditions.

Farmers have diversified to culture this additional species as a diversification strategy, and a risk management initiative to counter potential impacts from QX and winter mortality diseases in Sydney Rock Oysters. Triploid Pacific Oysters are currently cultivated in Tweed River, Port Stephens, Brisbane Water, Hawkesbury River, Georges River, Shoalhaven and Crookhaven, Clyde River and Wapengo.

The approval to allow culture of Triploid Pacific Oysters in other estuaries may be granted following an environmental impact assessment that the industry applicant(s) must lodge with NSW DPI.