The state’s most productive oyster farming estuary will host oyster farmers, scientists, seafood marketers and trade suppliers from across Australia and New Zealand on the 6-8th August 2019 at the 2019 NSW Oyster Conference.
Valued at $55m farm gate value in 2018, the NSW oyster industry is the state’s most valuable seafood industry sector, responsible for some 1700 full-time and part time jobs in coastal areas.
“The conference is a way of bringing the industry together to share, learn and connect with other farmers and industry stakeholders” said Caroline Henry, Chair of the NSW Farmers Association Oyster Committee.
“The industry is on a wave of growth utilising new, innovative technology and better production and marketing strategies. It is an industry on the move, in each of the 30 estuaries where production occurs in NSW and most heartening are the number of young farmers and new investors entering the industry” says Caroline Henry.
“We anticipate close to 300 delegates, 30 presentations and 30 trade displayers” says conference organiser Andy Myers of OceanWatch Australia.
Some of the key sessions consider environmental performance, where a number of researchers discuss studies and explore the interaction between oyster farming and seagrass, nutrient cycles and fish abundance. “Overwhelmingly, the research to date here and overseas highlights that best practice oyster aquaculture provides a net benefit to the environment” said Mr Myers.
The conference also incorporates field trips around Wallis Lake and the Manning River, a shed event at Barclay’s Oysters and a conference dinner with renowned oyster lover and oyster judge at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, Simon Marnie.
The event has received strong sponsorship support from the oyster industry, government agencies and trade suppliers alike.
“It is our intention to open our doors and showcase our estuary to the rest of the industry” said Richard Ellery from Barclay Oysters, “There are some great initiatives underway in Wallis Lake to maintain the reputation of this area as a producer of premium Sydney Rock Oysters.”
“The event is supported by OceanWatch Australia through the NSW Landcare Program. This a partnership between Local Land Services and Landcare NSW Inc. supported by NSW Government.”
For more information, call Elisha on 0431 783 739.
Source: OceanWatch Australia Ltd