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Over Stocking is being caused due to the poor conditions over the last few years causing a poor market season hence forth creating poor prices for the product restricting ability to farm proparly causing stock to suffer. Heavy over-catch has increased the work load by a huge margin and continuos freshes have put a restriction on ability to control over-catch by drying or cooking the oysters.
Mud Worm Infestations have flourished due to the freshes, causing a high mortality rate among the stock. Mud Worm destroys the oyster by eating it and leaving nothing but a clump of nmud in its shell.
Acid Sulfate is draining into the Hasting River from the paddocks that are on its shore line. This has serious potential to harm the rivers $2 Million dollar per annum industry. Oyster production in NSW has fallen by almost 50% in the last 20 years due to many things but mainly as a direct result of water quality problems resulting from enviromental degradation. Oyster production in the hastings peaked in the 1960's when more than 6500 bags where produced compared with only 2018 in 1995/96. Now a number of Hastings River oyster farmers are on the borderline due to reduced income directly related to Acid Sulfate Run-off.
Tea Tree Run-off has been a big problem due to the plantation up limeburners creek. Tea Tree run-off has retarted growth of the oysters and possibly caused high mortality.
Altered Ocean Currents are not bringing in the nutrients oysters need to flatten and grow, there for also affecting there growth.
All of these threats have affected the market and prices therefor not keeping pace with costs and wages. If the present situation continues all farmers will be forced out of business and will cause the stock to be exported to a more lucrative overseas market. Oysters will be made dearer and fresh oysters will no
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