Far South Coast breaks records in oyster growing turnaround

Over 45 years, Hugh Wheeler has seen oyster farming on the Far South Coast of NSW evolve from a part-time job into a full-time career. (Supplied: David Rogers Photography)

Merimbula Lake on the NSW Far South Coast is setting records and has now overtaken traditional oyster farming regions.

Other regions have seen a downturn following repeated natural disasters.

The NSW government is aiming to tackle issues facing the industry and nearly triple the farm gate value by 2030.

As oyster growers continue to battle natural disasters and unknown diseases, one region on the NSW Far South Coast has become the engine for the industry.

Hugh Wheeler, who began farming oysters 45 years ago, said production at Merimbula Lake had doubled over the past decade.

The region has now overtaken traditional oyster growing areas on the NSW Mid North Coast and Hunter region.

Mr Wheeler said the shallow coastal estuary saw a record $14 million worth of oysters sold last year, representing a quarter of the state's Sydney rock oysters.

Merimbula Lake oyster farmer Hugh Wheeler with his son James. (Supplied: David Rogers Photography)

He said the combination of geography and modern farming methods had played a major role in the region's success, while waterways further north continued to struggle with repeated natural disasters.

"Merimbula has fewer problems than most of the other estuaries up and down the South Coast," he said.

"We were one of the early adopters of the method of growing oysters in floating bags, which can be an inappropriate method in areas that flood because they disappear out to sea.

"Almost all the other estuaries up the coast have that flooding issue."

The region has also focused on high-value grades oysters, which can fetch a premium price from restaurants and markets.

In 2024–25, Merimbula alone produced 323,241 dozen large oysters, more than triple the second-placed NSW estuary.

Meanwhile the NSW government is setting lofty goals for the oyster industry.

Ian Lyall, the director of aquaculture at the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, said the government was working alongside the industry to nearly triple its value to $300 million by 2030.

Ian Lyall says the government is working to boost the oyster industry. (ABC South East NSW: Alasdair McDonald)

He said the government had a long-term strategy focused on investment and technology, backed by a recent $20 million grant program to invest in automation, adopt technology and, in some cases, pursue electrification.

"That's really going to boost the private sector and h