Sydney Rock Oyster Breeding Program

The Sydney Rock Oyster breeding program started in the 1990s to increase industry productivity, provide management options to industry in times of oyster diseases, and establish a platform to respond to future needs and threats such as climate change. Over the past 30 years the program has changed in terms of breeding goals and methods used to achieve them. The program has become one of the most successful oyster breeding programs of its type.

The benefits

Disease Resistance

The breeding program has developed oysters with higher survival rates against diseases like QX disease. The program is considered a biosecurity necessity and an insurance policy.

Growth times

Selectively bred Sydney Rock Oysters grow faster than their wild counterparts. This means they reach market size more quickly, reducing the time and cost for farmers.

Marketability

Breeding decisions consider meat quality to ensure that oysters are appealing for consumers.

Sustainability

By improving disease resistance and growth rates, the breeding program helps ensure the long-term sustainability of the Sydney Rock Oyster industry in New South Wales.

Targets

The current industry goal is to produce commercial oysters with an average survival of greater than 70% for spat through one QX disease outbreak and 30% faster growth without changing meat condition, when compared to a wild Sydney Rock oyster.

Progress

When compared with wild Sydney Rock Oysters, as of April 2024 the program reports:

• An average of 80% survival rate for spat exposed to a single QX outbreak
• 25% faster growth than wild Sydney Rock Oysters
• No loss in meat condition