oysters in c!ffin bay The oyster industry in South Australia started not long a%er the colony was #rst established, when native (angasi) oysters were dredged from various bays around the state and shipped to Adelaide to be kept in beds adjacent to hotels, and then sold to the public. In 1849 the price in Adelaide for a dozen Co!n Bay oysters was one shilling and sixpence. By 1870 thirty sailing vessels were dredging for native oysters in the Co!n Bay area. However, over#shing caused a decline in catches, and by 1890 the #shery had all but ceased. Following the demise of the oyster #shery, a$empts were made to farm the native oyster, but because of its slow growth and high mortality it was decided to give the Paci#c oyster a go. The Japanese Paci#c oyster was #rst introduced to Tasmania in 1934, but it wasn’t until 1969 that they were trialed at Co!n Bay. It was due to the success of that and subsequent trials that the current industry started. Currently, the oyster farms located in Mount Du$on and Kellidie Bays are mainly used as nursery sites. The majority of the leases are situated 15 kilometres from the town of Co!n Bay, on the sand banks south of Point Longnose, in the waters of Port Douglas. Up to 40 oyster boats can be seen plying the waterways each day, with approximately 100 people being employed either on the leases or back on shore in the sorting sheds. Oysters start their lives in hatcheries, and oyster farmers buy this spat (or seed) from the hatcheries. Each oyster at this stage is four-to-six millimetres long, and a million seeds only weigh 20 kg. In a good year this seed can increase to weigh 100 tonnes. The oysters are graded back on shore every two-to-four months, depending on the season. Oysters generally reach market size around 18 months of age. Co!n Bay oysters are sold overseas, but most are sold interstate, with Sydney and Melbourne being the most popular markets. Due to the demand for Co!n Bay oysters, oysters from other growing regions of the state are transported to fa$ening leases at Point Longnose for up to three months before being sold. 8
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