NSW Aims to Triple Oyster Farm Value by 2030 Amid Production Growth
The NSW government targets a near tripling of the oyster industry's farm gate value to $300 million by 2030. The Far South Coast's Merimbula Lake has emerged as a leader in production, with sales reaching $14 million last year, representing 25% of the state's Sydney rock oysters.
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Merimbula Lake's oyster production has surged, yielding 323,241 dozen large oysters in 2024-25, significantly outpacing other NSW estuaries. The NSW government is implementing a $20 million grant program aimed at enhancing production through technology and automation.
Historical production in regions like Wallis Lake and Port Stephens has dwindled due to flooding and diseases, with Wallis Lake's output falling from 1.5 million dozen in 2018-19 to 557,000 dozen in 2024-25. Additionally, natural disasters and disease outbreaks pose ongoing challenges, with mortality events impacting up to 90% of stock. Researchers are developing a vaccine for Pacific oyster mortality syndrome, showing promising early results for large-scale application.
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