Oyster trial in Gippsland
The Victorian Fisheries Authority has proudly partnered with Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) to develop a native oyster industry in Gippsland.
The trial commenced in October 2022 with a small number of Sydney rock oysters, which are abundant and native to the Gippsland Lakes system, to see if there was potential for commercial oyster production in the Gippsland Lakes. Oysters were placed in baskets at four locations near Flanagan Island and Hopetoun channel.
Initial results from the trial were successful with growth rates comparable with commercial SRO growing areas in NSW, GLaWAC and the VFA expanded the trial in October 2025 with 80,000 oysters to assess the commercial viability with greater number of oysters at a more commercial scale.
The VFA and GLaWAC received funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) with a grant of $400,000 to undertake this work to investigate the commercial viability and the best growing systems for SRO in the Gippsland Lakes. Click here to learn more.
On completion of the trial, it’s envisaged GLaWAC will commence a commercial aquaculture operation at the selected trial sites, which may be with an existing industry partner.
This as a wonderful opportunity for local employment and economic development for the Gunaikurnai people. While local oysters on the tables of restaurants and pubs will be a great boost for the Victorian seafood and tourism industries.
The aim of the trial is to:
- Identify the sites within the lakes system for commercial production.
- Classify harvest areas within Gippsland Lakes approved under the Victorian Government’s Shellfish Quality Assurance Program.
- Determine the commercial production and growth potential for Sydney rock oysters in the Gippsland Lakes.
GLaWAC and the VFA have undertaken three years of regular testing and monitoring as required under the Shellfish Quality Assurance Program to ensure the product meets the required national Food Standards Code.
The partnership is part of our commitment to bring fresh seafood to all Victorians. It complements line caught fish sold directly from boats with the aim of fresh local seafood being available from Mallacoota to Portland.
It’s part of record investment into aquaculture in Victoria – with aquaculture now bigger than our wild catch.
