It has been a bad year for the oyster farmers in Port Stephens. Not only have there been huge stock losses due to QX disease in Sydney rock oysters, but there have also been several wild weather events which have damaged some of the infrastructure on the leases. Some of the long lines have broken on at least four separate occasions, with loss of baskets. These baskets float away and usually end up in the mangroves at the northern end of the Cove.
We also get oyster infrastructure washed up along the south facing shores. This material could come from as far away as Lemon Tree Passage.
Our local oyster farmers have been very prompt responding to our phone calls when there has been damage to the leases. It is in everyone’s best interests to get repairs carried out as soon as possible.
One of our local residents regularly walks the shoreline in the non-urban area between Carrington and Bulga Creek. He piles any oyster debris above the high-water mark and contacts the oyster farmers to come and collect the gear. Last month, forty items were collected and removed between Carrington and Balberook Cove. A further seven stacks were removed between Balberook Cove and Bracken’s Beach. At the northern end of the Cove, baskets with decomposing oysters were removed from the mangroves.
QX disease in Sydney rock oysters has meant that some oyster farmers have gone out of business. The remaining farmers are willing to clean up any debris that washes onto the shore. However, leases that have been abandoned may result in more debris. Please collect any debris that you see or report it to me via the North Arm Cove website.
