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Fish & Other Seafood

Beche De Mer
(Sea Cucumber)

Sydney Rock Oysters are endemic to Australia, and are found in bays, inlets and sheltered estuaries from Hervey Bay in Queensland to Wingan Inlet in Eastern Victoria.

They have a thick shell with a smooth exterier surface.  There are hinge teeth on the inner margin of their upper shell.  The mantle edges and adductor muscle scar are pale coloured.

Sydney Rock Oysters are capable of tolerating a wide range of salinities.  They are usually found in the intertidal zone to 3 metres below the low water mark.

Sydney Rock Oysters are "broadcast spawners" that is eggs and sperm are released into open water where fertilisation occurs.  Within hours of fertilisation the eggs develop into free swimming planktonic larvae.  The larvae swim in esturine and coastal waters for up to 3 weeks during which time they develop transparent shells and a retractable foot.  The larvae then settle on a clean substrate using the foot to find a suitable site.  The foot is resorbed once the larva is attached.  The shell darkens and the small animal takes on the appearance of an adult oyster.

Growth rates vary with local conditions. Sydney Rock Oysters generally reach 40-60g in 2 - 3 years.  Sydney Rock oysters change sex during life.  They start out as males and later change to females.  About 75% of prime eating oysters are female.

They are filter feeders, straining planktonic algae from the water. They are prey to a variety of fish, including stingrays, mud crabs, whelks and starfish.

There is no commercial harvesting of wild Sydney Rock Oysters.  All commercial stocks are farmed.

OYSTER RECIPES

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