Broken Bay Oysters

Project Profile

Issues

BBO was formed in 2006 with a commitment to achieving environmental sustainability and with a new sense of stewardship of the river following the demolishment of the Hawkesbury River’s wild oyster population by the QX parasite in 2004 and exit of many growers. BBO has developed an Environmental Management System and in only three years, the business has changed production methods, trialled new stocks of oysters and successfully lobbied landholders to reduce their impact on water quality through better land management practices.

Project Detail

Mooney Mooney’s Broken Bay Oysters (BBO) has been nominated for a National Landcare Award for playing a vital role in the restoring the Hawkesbury River’s oyster population and contributing to the sustainability of the industry.

BBO was formed in 2006 with a commitment to achieving environmental sustainability and with a new sense of stewardship of the river following the demolishment of the Hawkesbury River’s wild oyster population by the QX parasite in 2004 and exit of many growers. BBO has developed an Environmental Management System and in only three years, the business has changed production methods, trialled new stocks of oysters and successfully lobbied landholders to reduce their impact on water quality through better land management practices.

In 2004, 20 of the then 28 growers left the industry and the growers who remained resolved to stay embarked on establishing a new farming system based on disease resistant Sydney rock oyster and Pacific oyster.

BBO developed the Environmental Management System with the goals of responsible and sustainable operations, improved communication with natural resource managers and the community on environmental management of oyster cultivation and the Hawkesbury River and catchment, management of new risks and management of adoption of new methods and technologies.

BBO is heavily involved in ongoing research into QX have committed many voluntary hours to educate the broader community about the value of a cleaner, healthier estuary.

A key feature of the BBO approach is to engage cooperatively with Government agencies and local community through initiation of, and involvement in, water quality improvement project by identifying ‘hot spots’ and initiating partnership projects and committing to ongoing monitoring. BBO are heavily involved in a number of landcare activities including Clean-Up Australia and as advocates for estuary care. BBO are the ‘eyes on the river’ and play a significant role in developing a sustainable oyster industry, improving the environmental management of the Hawkesbury River and its catchment, monitoring and reporting on estuarine health, and raising community awareness about good river citizenship.

Broken Bay Oysters is one of 88 finalists in the National Landcare Awards to be announced in Canberra on 24 June 2010. Commencing in 1991, the Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and groups that make a valuable contribution to the land and coast where they live and work.

Photography

Broken Bay Oysters