In the past 12 months close to 300,000 oysters have been stolen from Wallis Lakes oyster farms. And this Easter, farmers are fighting back.

Wallis Lake oyster farmers’ State representative Steve Verdich is working with authorities to ensure all oyster farmers report stock loss, however minor.

Surveillance cameras will soon be installed to help deter thieves

LOCAL oyster growers are fed up with the illegal removal of stock. 

In the past 12 months close to 300,000 oysters have been stolen from Wallis Lakes oyster farms.

It’s time for oyster growers to take action, local farmer Anthony Sciacca said.

“It takes nearly three years for an oyster to grow to market size, and to find your three-year investment simply gone is very frustrating.”

The lead-up to Christmas and Easter is the peak period for oyster theft. But, this Easter farmers are fighting back.

Wallis Lake oyster farmers’ State representative, Steve Verdich, is working closely with Fisheries Officers and the NSW Police rural crime investigators to ensure all oyster farmers report stock loss, however minor.

“We as an industry need to work with government agencies,” he said. “I strongly encourage oyster farmers to maintain regular stock checks on their leases and report any losses to the Police Assistance Line (PAL) on 131 444.”

Wallis Lake shellfish program coordinator Anthony Sciacca said he would be thrusting oyster farmers into the 21st century with the purchase and installation of surveillance cameras.

“Forty grand in one year is about how much these farmers have lost," he said. “The people responsible should be ashamed of themselves.

“Oyster farmers are hard working men and women; to have our livelihood stolen is appalling.

“With the support of the local shellfish program we will be installing surveillance cameras on oyster leases in Wallis Lake.

“These cameras will be moved around periodically with their exact location known only to the program’s independent sampler.

“If you steal oysters smile for the camera because we will catch you.”

Barclays Oysters manager Richard Ellery asked members of the public to be vigilant.

“Many people are out on the lake day and night and must see things that look suspicious,” he said. “So if you see someone near or within an oyster lease acting suspiciously presume they are stealing oysters. Take a photo, get a boat rego and call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

“This Easter be careful about where you buy your oysters from.

“We have strict rules about harvesting oysters, so our Wallis Lake oysters are of the best quality.

“If you buy black market oysters you don’t know where they have come from. “Buying oysters out of the boot of a car in the pub’s car park is risky business.”

The Wallis Lake oyster industry, which dates back to the late 1800s, employs around 100 people from, within the community and is a significant contributor to the local economy.