BUDGET EXPENDITURE: $310,000 (with a STOP-GO point after Phase 1 $122k)

PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR: Andy Myers

ORGANISATION: NSW Farmers Association

PROJECT CODE: 2025-057

PROJECT STATUS: Current

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WHY IS THIS RESEARCH BEING UNDERTAKEN? 

Across NSW, the health of seagrass meadows, particularly the endangered Posidonia australis, has become a growing concern for regulators . Over the past two years, reports of seagrass loss within oyster leases have surfaced repeatedly at NSW Shellfish Committee meetings, prompting questions about what is driving these changes. While some impacts may be linked to farming practices, growers are equally aware that estuaries are dynamic systems shaped by storms, floods, sediment movement, and other natural disturbances. After several years of extreme weather events, many farmers believe the recent observations do not tell the full story.

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At the same time, oyster farmers recognise their responsibility as custodians of the estuaries they work in. Many are eager to better understand how their infrastructure, stocking densities, and day‑to‑day operations interact with sensitive habitats. They want credible, practical tools that allow them to monitor seagrass health, compare different farming methods, and make voluntary improvements where needed. Without this evidence, there is a real risk that regulators may resort to blunt restrictions or even remove lease areas, decisions that could significantly affect the viability of the industry.

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Parallel to these concerns is a growing global recognition that shellfish aquaculture can deliver substantial environmental benefits. Oysters filter water, cycle nutrients, create habitat, and contribute to carbon processes -yet in NSW, this information is scattered across studies and not tailored to local farming methods or estuary conditions. As new frameworks emerge to measure and validate nature‑positive outcomes, the NSW industry needs a consolidated, evidence‑based understanding of its environmental contributions. This will not only strengthen its social licence but may also open future opportunities in environmental markets and ecosystem service payments.

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This project brings these two threads together. By developing a farmer‑friendly seagrass monitoring program and assessing how NSW oyster farming aligns with established nature‑positive frameworks, the work aims to protect sensitive habitats, empower growers, and demonstrate the broader environmental value of the industry.

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Ultimately, this work is being undertaken to ensure that oyster farming in NSW continues to grow sustainably—supported by evidence, trusted by regulators, and recognised by the community not only for its economic contribution but for the environmental stewardship it provides.

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OBJECTIVES:

1. Develop and implement a seagrass condition monitoring program to assess the impact of certain oyster farming practices on seagrass health and guide industry improvements.

2. Use the seagrass condition monitoring program to capture details of ad hoc environmental events and distributances which may impact of seagrass health.

3. Engage oyster farmers through training workshops and hands-on support to monitor seagrass, encourage adoption of seagrass-friendly work plans and regenerative practices.

4. Provide data-driven insights to inform future management of oyster aquaculture.

5. Validate and apply The Nature Conservancy Framework to NSW oyster farming to identify the circumstances in which oyster farming has the best environmental benefits for strategic management and industry growth.

6. Deliver public-facing materials that summarise project outcomes, highlight environmental benefits, and build the industry's social license.

 

RESOURCES GENERATED:

• Link to project page on the FRDC website

• Link to project page on the NSW Farmers website