Aprill 12, 2006

Australian state moots plan for sustainable oyster farming
 

The state of New South Wales in Australia is hoping to increase its oyster output 70 percent from current levels of 70,000 bags to 120,000 bags by 2013.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Manager of Aquaculture, Ian Lyall, said in a bid to help the industry further develop, an Oyster Industry Sustainable Aquaculture Strategy (OISAS) has been developed which has been endorsed by the oyster industry.

The strategy identifies priority areas for oyster farming in NSW and seeks to conserve these areas through a range of planning measures. It also marks out a set of industry best practices and a commitment to sustainable ecological development.

The overall vision is to achieve the sustainable production of 120,000 bags of premium NSW oyster products for domestic and export markets by 2013, said Lyall.

The oyster industry is the state's most valuable fishery industry, producing around 70,000 bags estimated to be worth US$38 million in farm gate sales a year.