Oyster festival gives chance to learn about industry

Each year local oyster farmers produce 1.5 million oysters to grace the palates of seafood lovers and their wares will be on display at the 2016 Oyster Festival at Ettalong.

The festival will give locals the opportunity to sample fresh Brisbane Water Oysters and to learn about the industry.

Whitten's Organic Oysters will be on site selling seafood and answering questions about farming oysters in Brisbane Water.

"This resilient industry is preparing for another busy summer," said event organiser Ms Rachele O'Reilly.

"Sydney rock oysters are on the menu, a recognised superfood packed with zinc and magnesium, and rich in Vitamins A, B1, B2, and C.

"Despite only taking a couple of seconds to eat, a Sydney rock oyster can take up to four years to grow to market size, and requires frequent handling and checking.

"Not only are these tasty shellfish incredibly healthy to eat, they are also good for the environment.

"Each year, oysters grown in Brisbane Water filter the equivalent of 80,000 Olympic swimming pools of estuary water.

"They are a fantastic barometer of estuary health.

"They are often called 'the canaries of our waterway'."

Media release, 6 Oct 2016

Rachele O'Reilly, Impact Exhibitions and Events