Environmental credentials

Canaries of the waterway

Oysters are considered the canary of the waterway, an excellent indicator of estuary health. Oyster farmers are often the first people to become aware of water quality problems and are often proactive environmentalists. They also self-fund a water quality testing program, contributing valuable scientific data to help monitor the health of the local waterways. 

All oysters are filter-feeders, straining organic material from the surrounding water. They can filter up to 5 litres of water every hour! Oysters are not fed or treated with any chemicals throughout their lifetime. 

The activities of the NSW oyster industry are guided by the Oyster Industry Sustainable Aquaculture Strategy (OISAS). This strategy formalises industry's commitment to environmental sustainable practices and a duty of care for the environment in which the industry operates. Beyond this strategy, many oyster-producing estuaries in NSW have also proactively, and voluntarily, developed Environmental Management Systems (EMS). 

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Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

​Oyster farmers require healthy estuaries and clean water to produce quality oysters, and they work hard with government agencies and partners to protect these coastal resources for future generations. South coast oyster farmers in all major farming estuaries have made a commitment to the environmentally sustainable production of oysters and to the ongoing protection of the estuary. 

This commitment is outlined in an Environmental Management System, or EMS. The EMS is a voluntary initiative that highlights improvements that oyster farmers can make to their own operations, as well as how they can drive environmental improvements within the catchment. More background information on EMS can be found here.