OYSTER farmers on the Tweed River have joined forces in a bid to shore up the industry’s future in the region.

The number of oyster farmers working the Tweed River has decreased significantly in recent decades and there are concerns that the sustainability of the industry is at further risk as development in and around the Terranora catchment area continues.

Noel Baggaley from Brunswick Seed Oysters said when he began working in the industry almost four decades ago there were about 14 operators in the Tweed but only four remain.

“The numbers have certainly dropped off,” he said.

In a bid to ensure those that remain have a viable future the oyster farmers have commenced working with not-for-profit organisation OceanWatch Australia to develop an Environmental Management System (EMS).

OceanWatch Australia aquaculture program manager Andy Myers said the EMS will help to identify the area-specific risks that confront the industry.

The document will also identify improvements that can be made by the oyster farmers, as well as measures that can be taken by land managers and residents in the surrounding area to help protect water quality in the catchment area.　

Mr Myers said issues associated with agricultural activities and urban development are among the oyster farmers’ concerns.

“The key thing with oyster farming is that it occurs at the bottom of the catchment area and anything that happens upstream can potentially impact on the industry,” he said.

“The EMS is about identifying what is happening in the catchment area and what can the industry do better. It’s all about risk management.

“The whole intent is to create a long-term sustainable industry.”

Mr Baggaley said the development of the document will benefit not only the oyster farmers but also the wider community.

“The EMS will provide us with a plan to not only improve the performance of the industry but also the water quality in the river,” he said.

“This will not only benefit oyster farmers but is a real win for the environment and the local community.”

Mr Myers said work on the EMS would commence in the coming weeks but Tweed oyster farmers have already displayed their intent.

The farmers hosted an information day last week with key stakeholders, including council representatives invited to inspect local operations and learn more about the industry.

The project is being supported by North Coast Local Land Services through funding from the National Landcare Program.