A deadly oyster disease first detected in Port Stephens a year ago has now returned and threatens to leave several producers out of business.
Key points:
- QX disease has been found on oyster farms in Port Stephens
- Some growers have lost all their stock and the parasite is spreading
- The outbreak could force several smaller producers to leave the industry
QX disease is not harmful to humans, but the parasite infects Sydney Rock oysters, causing them to lose their condition and die during the winter.
Don Burgoyne’s family farm has been operating in Port Stephens for over 60 years and is one of the largest producers in the estuary.
He said the outbreak, due to months of rain that has prevented the harvest, will cause some producers to lose everything.
Oyster producers have lost up to 100 percent of their stocks. (Provided by: Facebook)
“It’s very traumatic, some of these guys are smaller companies with less resilience or less resources to overcome something like this,” he said.
“I have heard that there are eight of the 41 farmers in Port Stephens, especially in the Karuah area, who want to leave, some of them after five generations of oyster farming.”
Burgoyne said he was determined to get his business out of the outbreak, but his losses are significant.
“Kill up to 90 percent of your crop and the remaining ones don’t thrive either.
“So far we’ve lost about half a million dollars for us in our juveniles, and that includes some that were ready for harvest.”
“The boys at Karuah, Oyster Cove and Tilligerry Creek have already lost their marketable crop.
“They’re looking at two or three years to try to get something back that is ready to sell.”
Port Stephens oyster grower Stephen Cole is testing its existence to detect the deadly disease of the QX parasite.
Producers need support: MP
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington met with local producers this week, including Stephen Cole, whose operation has been severely affected.
She is concerned about the future of local industry, which is worth $ 8 million a year to Port Stephens.
“We have an estuary in crisis, we have oyster farmers who want to get away from the industry, some are 5th generation farmers because they don’t see any way forward,” he said.
“We have whole areas that have seen 100% oyster mortality due to this disease.
“It’s hugely affecting local oyster growers and the whole oyster industry here in Port Stephens.”
Ms. Washington confirmed that several producers have already applied for a grant from the state government.
Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders said the outbreak was significant and that the Department of Primary Industries was providing advice and support to producers to manage and control the spread.
Saunders said producers could apply for natural disaster grants and low-interest loans, but acknowledged it would not be appropriate for some.
“For some people, a low interest loan may not be what people feel they want to do at this particular time, and I understand that perfectly well,” he said.
“What we need to do is ensure that the industry feels supported, but there is no quick and easy solution.”
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Posted 15 hours, 15 hours ago, Friday, June 3, 2022 at 2:36 AM, updated 14 hours ago, 14 hours ago, Friday, June 3, 2022 at 3:53 AM