Tasmanian oyster growers will increase water quality testing to ensure the
community can remain confident local produce continues to meet the highest
possible standards.
“Our Shellfish Quality Assurance Program has delivered safe oysters for years,”
Dr Lewis said.
“We now intend to clearly demonstrate this through an intensive, industryfunded
sampling program.”
Oyster growers met on today and resolved to increase water quality testing as
an immediate response to the current issues facing the industry.
“Our product is a reflection of the water in which it’s grown,” Dr Lewis said.
“We really are the canary in the mine when it comes to identifying water
quality issues in public waterways.”
“Our ongoing Quality Assurance Program has highlighted continuing lapses in
infrastructure capacity that lead to Tasmania’s pristine waterways being
contaminated,” Dr Lewis said.
Dr Lewis said oyster growers have begun a series of meetings with the water
corporations and Government representatives to review the current lapses in
infrastructure capacity and to work together to ensure Tasmanian waterways
remain safe for oyster production.
Dr Tom Lewis, Oysters Tasmania
