SOUTH Coast oyster farmers voted unanimously last week to commercialise their activities in advance of trading internationally with markets in Asia and beyond.
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The move from an industry association to a new structure, Australia’s Oyster Coast Pty Ltd, aims to better support the organisation to achieve its commercial objectives both in export and domestic markets.
The new company continues to position oyster farmers at its centre, with over 40 farmers from the eight major South Coast oyster estuaries investing as shareholders. They will be supported by an independent governing board and a broad cross section of other business experts as staff and advisers to the company.
Incoming chairman David Trebeck announced there would be three oyster farmer directors on the board - Stacey Loftus (Wonboyn Lake), David Maidment (Wagonga Inlet) and Ben Ralston (Clyde River), and two non-farmer directors – South Coast business consultant and South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation board member Cath Peachey and principal of a Canberra accounting firm Tony Curtis.
Mr Trebeck is an experienced company director, economist and consultant and is currently a director of ASX listed company, GrainCorp.
He said the new company would focus initially on exporting oysters to international markets in our region and developing domestic tourism opportunities for the Oyster Trail.
“We will aggressively pursue the ‘high end’ of the international markets and negotiations are well progressed in Singapore and Hong Kong,” he said.
“A strong focus on quality and high standards will ensure premium products reach the market place here and elsewhere.”
The company’s branding and strong market position will be integral to securing and maintaining market price premiums.
Export manager Andrew Wales said the foundations were already in place.
“We have the world’s most environmentally sustainable oyster industry producing world class oysters,” he said.
“We also have an authentic industry containing genuine characters, with a long and deep oyster farming heritage.
“There is now a real opportunity to connect consumers with the brand through exports and the Oyster Trail.”
Wagonga Inlet oyster farmer and board member David Maidment has been working hard with other farmers on this initiative and is full of optimism for the future.
“There is real excitement and a genuine willingness to cooperate and succeed,” he said.
“We have a market of significant potential at our doorstep.
“Early contact with overseas markets has proven promising and our own high standards will set Australia’s Oyster Coast apart from the rest.”