The South Australian Oyster industry was established in the late 1980’s and consists of 7 oyster-growing regions that pride themselves on producing a premium product for both domestic & international customers.

South Australian oysters are grown in clear blue oceanic bays from Ceduna in the Far West of the State to Smoky Bay, Streaky Bay, Coffin Bay & Cowell. As the industry grows, new areas are opening up with an emerging industry on the Yorke Peninsula at Port Broughton, Port Vincent, Stansbury & Coobowie Bay, as well as Kangaroo Island.

South Australia is an ideal location for the growing of pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) as the State offers:

• Suitable areas with pristine marine waters ideal for production
• Low population density and rain-fall around South Australia’s coastline which reduces the risk of pollutants entering the waterways 
• Oyster farming techniques have been thoroughly researched and tested over many years in SA, providing best practice information for the industry
• Industry funded research to further increase production & efficiency
• Strong and united industry association
• South Australian Quality Assurance Program that meets USFDA standards
• Oyster Environmental Monitoring Program (OEMP) and Industry Code of Practice

South Australia is internationally renown and recognised for its clean waters and conditions that allow for production of premium quality shellfish.

Production

The oyster industry is the second largest aquaculture sector in South Australia producing almost 3.5 million dozen oysters in 2001/02, valued at over $14.1M.

South Australian oysters are grown using several methods, on traditional rack and rail systems, the unique South Australian BST longline system or hybrid systems that suit particular growing areas. Culturing systems differ from Bay to Bay and are developed to allow oysters the greatest access to food to ensure that the optimum meat to shell ratio is obtained and quality assured.

Oysters are graded several times before they are sold to minimise parasite settlement & maximise growth opportunities. South Australian oysters are sold as Bistros, Plates, Standards, Large or Jumbos and this range of sizes ensure that we satisfy the exacting demands of our customers. The growout time varies with size, but usually takes between 18-30 months.

Economic Impact

The oyster industry has expanded significantly in recent years and is a major contributor to the seafood industry and the economy of South Australia.

The Economic Impact report 2002/03 (.PDF 242KB) shows that South Australia’s oyster aquaculture industry was valued at $16.1 million dollars, with value added and flow-on benefit to the economy of over $33 million dollars through support industries.

Regional South Australia benefits from the oyster aquaculture industry through improved spending capacity and employment, both direct and indirect.

Markets

Pacific oysters grown in South Australia are sold domestically and internationally. A number of co-operatives, such as OYSA exist and are responsible for marketing and selling of product. Demand for South Australian oysters currently exceeds supply and hence the majority of oysters are pre sold in agreements facilitated by the marketing co-operatives.

Farm gate price for South Australian oysters ranges from $3.50 to $7.50 per/dozen depending on size and market demand. Many farmers facilitate direct sales to the public and local restaurants where price may be slightly above farm gate prices.

The majority of South Australian oysters are sold whole, with both sides of the shell still intact. Oyster processors generally sell a fresh half shell product to their buyers. Some value-adding techniques exist and have potential for further development. For example, some growers provide half-shell product, pickled, smoked, oyster shooters, kilpatrick and even oyster shashliks.

For more information on future production and market opportunities for oysters, download the following reports: Aquaculture Industry Market Assessment 2002 (.PDF 3.4MB) and South Australian Aquaculture Market Analysis 2002 (.PDF 3.5MB).

Industry Development

The oyster industry continues to develop strongly in South Australia. South Australian Oyster Growers Association (SAOGA) represents and supports the oyster industry at a local, state and national level. The industry is actively involved in the South Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance (SASQAP), which provides customers with confidence that the product meets stringent requirements relating to public health.

In 1998, the South Australian Oyster Growers Association recognised that for the industry to remain competitive and dynamic, research and development must be a priority. As a result, the South Australian Oyster Research Council Pty Ltd known as SAORC was established with the Board consisting of nominated licensed oyster growers and SAOGA as the sole shareholder. SAORC is an industry body funded by a levy on seed sales.

The central purpose of SAORC is to promote, encourage and co-ordinate scientific research and development for the benefit of the South Australian oyster industry. SAORC, through consultation with industry, identifies projects to be undertaken, sources funding from State & Federal Governments, allocates resources and administer research and development projects.

For technical information on pacific oysters covering attributes for culture; hatchery production/seed supply; hatching and larval, juvenile rearing; growout; nutrition and feeding; water quality and environmental factors; economics of production and the latest research and development, contact Rural Solutions SA using the following email address: jeffrey.mathew@saugov.sa.gov.au.

The Future

Through ongoing research and development, the South Australian oyster industry will continually improve its economic and environmental sustainability.

There are many research projects in progress that aim to assist the future development of the industry. One of which, is the Genetic Selection Program. This program has been in progress for some years now and will enable growers to develop a faster growing oyster that is more desirable in shell shape and which conditions to a market standard more rapidly.

Future work on market opportunities and value adding is required to allow the industry to meet the exact market demands in the future.

Quality Assurance

The South Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (SASQAP) was established as a joint initiative between Primary Industries and Resources (PIRSA) and the shellfish industry of South Australia in 1994. The SASQAP web page features phytoplankton reports, bay area closures, and the current ASQAP manual.

The main aim of SASQAP is:

to provide public health protection for consumers of South Australian shellfish and thus allow the development of a sustainable shellfish industry across the state

SASQAP is managed from Port Lincoln SA, where it operates a NATA Accredited laboratory performing all microbiological testing. Phytoplankton enumeration on water samples is also performed at the laboratory but other analytical services (biotoxin and chemical testing) are provided by other agencies on a fee for service basis.

Contact Details

For further information on the oyster industry in South Australia, please contact:

South Australian Oyster Research Council
Mr Gary Zippel
PO Box 182
Ceduna SA 5690
Phone/Fax: 08 8625 3833
Email: gzippel@bigpond.com

SA Oyster Growers Association
Mr Mike Whillas
PO Box 2296
Port Lincoln SA 5606
Phone/Fax: 08 8682 1831
Email: mcwhillas@bigpond.com.au