Oyster farmers are the frontline stewards of estuary health - out on the water daily, they’re often the first to detect pollution and upstream disturbances. With their livelihoods tied to a healthy environment, many have long supported community clean-ups, offering gear, boats, and local knowledge.

In 2019, OceanWatch launched Tide to Tip to coordinate clean-ups across growing regions. The response was huge: 240 farmers across four states joined in the first year. The model is simple. Farmers choose a day that suits, and OceanWatch supports logistics, insurance, and supplies through a partnership with Clean-Up Australia.

​Tide to Tip has also seen oyster farmers partner with commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, indigenous groups, schools and community groups to add on-ground capacity to the clean-ups. These partnerships have also help oyster farmers to build relationships and social licence with their local community.  

The more growing regions we can get on board the better – it becomes a much better story, and one that demonstrates the value that the oyster industry places on a healthy environment.​ If you’d like your estuary or embayment to get involved please contact Simon Rowe on [email protected] or 0434 351 977. . 

Key Stats (2019 - 2025)

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Be a Local Tide to Tip Coordinator

OceanWatch relies on local 'Tide to Tip' coordinators to help organise their estuary clean-up. Being a local coordinator is not hard. You will be the one communicating with OceanWatch staff around deciding on a suitable date and time for the event and will communicate this to your fellow oyster farmers in your estuary. OceanWatch will send you some paperwork - a volunteer agreement form, sign-up sheet for the volunteers on the day, a risk assessment JSA, and a clean-up kit. We will organise rubbish collection or tip vouchers with local councils and decide with you on the location of rubbish removal. On the day, you (with the help of an OceanWatch staff member) will give a basic safety briefing, ask volunteers to watch the safety video below, get volunteers to sign on and share the plan for the clean-up locations. Don't forget to take lots of pictures on the day and share them on social media #TideToTip #oysterindustrycleanup. 

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Introduction & Safety Video

Before commencing your clean-up, please: 

1. ​Watch the introduction & safety video below 
2. Read the safety sheet provided in the clean-up pack 
3. Sign-on as a volunteer 
4. Consider local conditions & risks, and discuss these with your clean-up coordinator 
5. Agree on areas to target, how you'll be splitting your resources and how long you'll be out
6. Remember to sign-off when you finish up! 

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Clean Up Gallery

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Clean-ups in South Australia & Tasmania are coordinated through state industry associations. Please contact the South Australian Oyster Growers Association and Oysters Tasmania for details of clean-ups in these states.

A massive thank you to all participating farmers and community group volunteers. A big thank you also to all partners and funders of this initiative.

The 2023 and 2024 Tide to Tip Clean Ups are jointly funded by the Australian & NSW Government’s Storm & Flood Industry Recovery Program.

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