Give oyster farmers a fair go

Recreational fishers and boaters are being urged to give oyster farmers a fair go, and help minimise accidental damage to their farm infrastructure and valuable crops.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Aquaculture Manager, Ian Lyall, said many people don’t realise they may be affecting oyster leases as they have their fun out on the water.

Unintended damage from boat wash, accidentally entering lease areas and running over stock, and damage from fishing practices can have a significant impact on oyster farmers’ livelihoods.

“Oyster lease areas have long been a favourite spot for those seeking to catch a bream or two,” Mr Lyall said.

“In estuaries, oyster leases provide shelter and food for important recreational species such as bream, juvenile snapper, luderick and leatherjackets while lease areas also provide important nursery habitat for the juvenile stages of many other species of fish along with seagrasses and mangrove areas.

“Most oyster farmers take a fairly tolerant approach to people fishing around their oyster leases.  However, when you see the irresponsible behaviour of some recreational fishers and other boat owners you can understand why they can get upset.”

Every year oyster farmers report damage to their leases worth thousands of dollars. “Oyster farmers rely on their leases for their livelihood and that lease infrastructure is expensive to repair and maintain,” Mr Lyall said.

“For those who fish oyster lease areas it is important to remember that the infrastructure on oyster leases is not public property.”

“And for those tempted to ’pick up’ a feed of oysters, just remember that taking oysters from an oyster lease is theft and has resulted in jail terms and/or fines in excess of $55,000.”

Under the Fisheries Management Act 1994  people must not interfere with or damage anything on an oyster lease. This can result in legal action by the oyster farmer to recover the cost of any damage that may be caused. Tips for fishing responsibly in oyster lease areas:

• When navigating in close proximity to oyster leases treat them as “no wash zones” as boat wash can;
• Wash oysters from oyster trays and in some cases dislodge the trays from the racks.
• Result in injuries to workers on the lease area.
• Don’t tie up to oyster lease infrastructure especially white lease marker posts.
• When recovering lures that have become snagged on lease infrastructure do not dislodge or tear shade cloth as this may result in significant losses of oysters to stingrays and other oyster predators.
• If you have any doubts whatsoever about your ability to navigate safely within the lease area under the prevailing conditions do not enter the lease area.
• Check NSW Roads and Maritime Services boating maps to avoid lease areas.
• If an oyster farmer asks you to leave an oyster lease, pay them the courtesy of doing so without an argument.  

Contact: Tom Braz

Phone: 0428 256 596 or 6391 3686

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