Widespread rain throughout December left many of the State's oyster farmers unable to harvest during their busiest time of year, but thankfully the growers who depend on Wallis Lake for their livelihoods weren't impacted as badly as most.
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Wallis Lake's three harvest zones have been closed since December 30 due to excessive rainfall, with one of the zones opening again for harvest and depuration on Tuesday, January 12.
The depuration process sees the oysters placed in a tank of saltwater that is recycled through ultraviolet light for 36 hours, killing any bacteria.
Despite the disruption, East 33 farm manager and second generation oyster grower Stephen Verdich says local farmers have been fortunate.
"[We were] very lucky," he said.
"It would've been a significant kick to us if we didn't get those Christmas sales."
Others on the Mid North Coast haven't been so lucky, with oyster farmers on the Manning River unable to harvest since December 11 and those on the Hastings River out of action since mid-December.
Mr Verdich said the persistent and extensive nature of the rain had created a State-wide shortage of Sydney Rock Oysters.
But he believed things were looking up for growers on Wallis Lake.
East 33 sent its first batch of oysters to market in more than a fortnight on Thursday, January 14.
It will continue to harvest and depurate oysters until the farmers are given the green light to harvest directly from the lake.
Mr Verdich believes this could happen soon.
"We've taken some more tests and we're waiting for the results of those tests from the lab," he said.
"If those tests come back clear then this area will get opened again for direct harvest."
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Mr Verdich said the ongoing shortage had created an increased demand in the market at a time when there was usually a slight drop-off.
"Traditionally there is a downturn in the month after Christmas, because people have spent all their money," he said.
"The reason sales are so buoyant at the moment is because leading up to Christmas we had limited accessibility to oysters, so there's a carry over."
But with more wet weather predicted over the coming months, Mr Verdich admitted it could be tricky to manage supply.
"We'll have to work smarter and watch the weather more," he said.
"We're happy we got Christmas in and this is the consequence of a wet year.
"They're expected every now and again, you just roll with it."
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