Southern Clams Media Release Wednesday 17 April 2013
Southern Clams Plans to Diversify with Bluff Oysters in Otago Harbour
Within twelve months, Dunedin restaurants, could be serving live oysters on the shell straight from Otago Harbour. The
plan is the brainchild of Southern Clams who have identified a unique opportunity to diversify their shellfish
operations by utilising the certified growing waters of Otago Harbour.
In a consent application to the Otago Regional Council, tabled today, Southern Clams is proposing to take two year old
oysters, which have been farmed by New Zealand’s Bluff Oyster Company (NZBO) in Bluff Harbour, and re-lay them in Otago
Harbour for up to four weeks, until they meet statutory regulations for commercial harvest.
At present the quality of water in Bluff Harbour is ‘restricted’, which means that no shellfish can be taken for direct
sale. The level of non-compliance is extremely limited but falls short of the very strict regulations. New Zealand Trade
and Enterprise put NZBO in touch with Southern Clams to help solve this problem.
Last year Southern Clams ran a successful experimental trial in Otago Harbour. Five different batches of oysters were
placed in the certified growing water areas, and after a period of 2-4 weeks, each batch, after being removed from the
harbour met the standard of approval for sale.
If Southern Clams is given consent for its new aquaculture activities, it expects that in 2014, 1.5 million oysters
would be handled over a period of 9 months. This would increase the company’s workload by 30% in turn increasing
employment. It will also mean that farmed Bluff Oysters will be a new, in–shell product, for international markets. They
have not been exported since the nineteenth century.
The oysters would arrive in Dunedin in a contained form and would remain contained during their time in the Harbour. The
process would most likely involve a suspended basket system on-line which is a standard industry tool. The oysters can
be laid in low tide areas but would be better suited to deep water areas where their presence would be marked by
flotation buoys. No oysters would be in the harbour during the main recreational months of December, January and
February. While an area of 20-25 hectares, 0.5% of the total Harbour space, is required for the aquaculture, less than
five hectares would be used at any one time.
Southern Clams’ Managing Director Roger Belton says the proposed diversification has great synergy with its existing
operations.
“Our staff are specialists in handling live shellfish and we have high credibility for our product in niche export
markets. It really makes good sense and represents a very good use of a natural resource, namely the certified growing
waters in the harbour.
“What we are proposing to do will not result in any depletion of the harbour, which is consistent with our sustainable
production approach and the presence of this indigenous species, the flat oyster, is actually likely to enhance the
marine ecosystem of the harbour encouraging a greater diversity of marine life.”
NZBO Director, Lindsey Topp, says the proposed joint venture with Southern Clams will provide more than just a cost
effective solution to meeting food safety standards.
“Our company specialises in hatching spat and growing oysters. Southern Clams brings to this their expertise in
handling and processing live shellfish plus their brand and market position in export markets. It’s a very exciting
collaboration.”
Today’s announcement by Southern Clams also marks the beginning of its consultation process with Otago Harbour
Stakeholders. Roger Belton says that the consultation process will be held over the next six months with all
stakeholders. The application can be modified in light of feedback received with the view to the consent being granted
by 1st March 2014.
ENDS