Wallis Lakes oyster growers will use the next couple of weeks to catch up on odd jobs and maintenance work after they were forced to stop harvesting due to heavy rain.
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The Wallis Lake estuary was closed on Saturday morning following widespread rain across the catchment triggering Safe Food NSW to temporarily shut down the harvest.
About 15 growers will be affected by the closure, which comes in the middle of what is traditionally the busiest month during the annual harvest.
Wallis Lake is the largest producer of the Sydney Rock variety in Australia, supplying more than 1.5 million dozen oysters annually.
Tuncurry grower, Anthony Sciacca believed the area had received close to 300mm since the rain began late last week.
"I stopped counting yesterday (Sunday, February 9) morning," he said.
"By 8am on Saturday morning we had enough rain to close the harvest.
"I can't remember the last time we had this much rain."
Like the majority of Wallis Lake farmers, Mr Sciacca was well prepared for the predicted downfall, harvesting enough oysters to last at least a week.
I can't remember the last time we had this much rain.
- Anthony Sciacca
"Hopefully we will be able to harvest to Easter this year.
"We have good size, quality stock."
Mr Sciacca said a 'little bit of fresh' this time of year could be good for the fishing industry.
"It will freshen up the lake a little; it will get rid of the cungies."
He said on the back of the fires many people were concerned what impact the run-off would have on the lake.
"It is not too bad."
Steve Verdich harvested about two weeks supply of oysters before the rain arrived.
"We will have to wait a couple of weeks until the water clears (before recommencing harvest)," he said.
In the meantime, he has a good supply of good condition, marketable oysters for sale.
He said the only drawback from the rain was fresh water could sometimes trigger oysters to spawn.
"The takes away the creamy, full bodied condition which the market likes," he said.
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Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
