The value of the pearl oyster industry in Queensland continues to fluctuate as some of the farms rebuild stocks of nucleated pearls. Four farms reported information this year. The value of the industry has been included in the sundry category throughout the report.
Twelve pearl culture areas (PCAs) were surveyed and responses were received for 10 of these areas. Four farms produced marketable pearls. The lack of responses from previous years makes it impossible to provide details on production etc. between years.
The main species cultured are the gold lip oyster (Pinctada maxima), black lip oyster (P. margaritifera), and penguin oyster (Pteria penguin). Three new lease areas are being stocked with the akoya pearls (Pinctada imbricata or P. fucata).
Production of round and baroque pearls accounted for over 60% of the 42 200 pearls sold in 2006–07. The value of production was estimated to be $1.7 million. Over 95% of the pearls were marketed in Australia. The value of round pearls averaged $60 each while half pearls only averaged $5 each.
Stocks on hand as of 30 June 2007 were grouped as follows:
- Stock after 1st operation 43 700
- Stock after 2nd operation 15 300
- Stock after 3rd operation 300
- Unseeded 70 600
Labour:
A total of 12 permanent labour units were involved in the industry in 2006–07 (compared with 4 in 2005–06). Total casual hours employed in the industry was 63 680 in 2006–07 (compared with 8160 in 2005–06). The total FTEs employed in the industry was 45 and the value of production per FTE was estimated to be $37 900.
Edible oyster production:
In Queensland all of the aquacultured oyster production occurs south of Hervey Bay and is confined to the culture of rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) on ‘furniture’ placed on tidal land, predominantly above mean low water.
Oyster production from rotationally harvested rocky foreshore areas is no longer reported as aquaculture production and is now reported as wild-caught fisheries production. The species harvested in this manner are the milky oyster (S. amasa) and the black-lip oyster (S. echinata). Production is limited to selective harvesting, retention of broodstock and maintenance of areas.
A total of 114 oyster areas authorised for aquaculture were surveyed during 2006–07, with 97 statistical returns received. The total production in Queensland has decreased by 13% from 161 500 dozen in 2005–06 to 141 000 dozen in 2006–07; however, the value of the industry has only decreased by 2% from $574 200 in 2005–06 to $534 000 in 2006–07.
The average price per dozen oysters increased by 6% from $3.56 per dozen in 2005–06 to $3.79 per dozen in 2006–07. Oyster sales are one measure of change in an industry. To provide other indicators on industry growth and performance the numbers of shells introduced on to the authorised areas, stock losses and the stock on hand were collected for the first time in 2004–05.
Industry has indicated that problems with obtaining QX disease-free stock from New South Wales were having an impact on growth of the Queensland industry. With introductions doubling (compared with the previous season) the number of shells held on leases has remained relatively stable. Losses of shells from lease areas continue to affect total Queensland oyster production.
Oysters are sold in a range of different sizes to meet market requirements. The three main categories used by the industry are bistro, bottlers and plate size. Table 19 summarises the different product types, average prices and the percentage of each product type.
Bottlers make up 54% of the product marketed at an average price of $3.35 per dozen (15% higher than 2005–06). The highest value product ($6.96 per dozen) is the plate size and they make up 12% of the product sold. Prices for this size increased by more than 20% per dozen. Bistro oysters at $5.49 per dozen accounted for 15% of production.
Average prices increased by 6% from the previous year.
Labour:
Total permanent labour employed in the industry was 17 units (15 in 2005–06) while total casual employment was 1 200 hours (1 050 in 2005–06).
This converts to 17 FTEs employed in the industry (16 in 2005–06). In terms of labour effciency the production per FTE was 8100 dozen (compared with 10 400 dozen in 2005–06). Total industry output decreased from $37 000 per labour unit in 2005–06 to $30 700 per labour unit in 2006–07.
Industry development:
The Queensland Shellfish Water Assurance Monitoring Program (QSWAMP) continued during 2006–07 and industry maintains responsibility for undertaking sampling. DPI&F continue to manage the program and to date this has been a favourable decision with successful sampling undertaken by industry.
An Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) audit was conducted in May 2007. The Moreton Island growing area remains the only AQIS export-approved area.
The 2004 oyster industry development plan was considered a success. Some of the major actions resulting from this development plan included:
- Implementation of a policy for maximising rock oyster production through a reduction in latent effort and reallocation of unused oyster areas. This has resulted in the introduction of a productivity condition to all resource allocation authorities for oystering.
- The production of a QX information brochure in conjunction with Queensland Museum and New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) to give growers a greater knowledge base regarding this disease.
- DPI&F finalised a Memorandum of Understanding with NSW DPI to allow for increased sharing of information on disease outbreaks and investigations.
- Queensland Oyster Growers Association (QOGA) information flow has increased due to QSWAMP changes that have resulted in greater communication between industry participants. It is now a requirement that all growers are a part of the QSWAMP water quality sampling group or an equivalent DPI&F-approved water quality program.
- An oyster aquaculture management plan was completed for the Moreton Bay Marine Park Management Plan, which clarifies the requirements of oyster industries in Moreton Bay Marine Park.
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