SRO Members win environmental awards

NSW's top oyster environmental champion was announced 25 September 2008.

An environmentalist and oyster farmer from the Shoalhaven is the winner of the 2008 NSW Oyster Industry Environmental Champion Award, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald announced in September 2008.

Lyn Desoto was presented the award at Oceanwatch Australia's "Tide to Table" Oysters Industry Field Day sponsored by Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. Initiated by the NSW Farmers' Association and the NSW Government, the awards acknowledge innovative ways of coping with environmental challenges, such as improving water quality, minimising pollution and restoring estuary habitats.

Lyn Desoto, Co-Ordinator of Shoalhaven River Oysters Inc., & Shoalhaven Shellfish Quality Assurance Program, Secretary of Shellfish Industry Council of Australia, NSW Farmers Association Oyster Committee Member, member of the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority Natural Resource Reference Group, took out the 2008 NSW Oyster Industry Environmental Champion Individual Award for her leadership in improving water quality in the Crookhaven/Shoalhaven estuaries.

A local environmental warrior for water quality issues, Lyn helped initiate the Dairy Oyster Partnership Project that has resulted in a new partnership with the local dairy industry to protect water quality.She also rallied local growers and formed an incorporated association - Shoalhaven River Oysters Inc so that they could apply for funding ,receive assistance and attain legal entity for all in the local industry.

Lyn organised the "Shoalhaven Clean Water, Healthy Community Forum" which bought the local industry, government departments, agencies, Politians, environmental activists and fishers together with everyone who had an interest in Shoalhaven water quality issues.This led to the local council contributing $15,000 to the local shellfish program for two years and $30,000 to start work on the the Shoalhaven Clean Waters Model.

The local oyster industry and council now have a very proactive and communicative relationship, working together for improved water quality for the whole community. "This award highlights the sustainable and innovative practices our oyster growers are using and the outstanding level of environmental leadership being demonstrated in the oyster industry," Minister Macdonald said.

"The calibre of all the entrants was extremely high, and our congratulations go not only to Lyn but also the Clyde River EMS and all the highly commended and commended award winners in a very competitive field," Mr Bulley added.

The Clyde River Environmental Management System (EMS) cluster group won the 2008 NSW Oyster Industry Environmental Champion Group Award for their role in the development and implementation of the Clyde River EMS.

Recipients of the Highly Commended Awards were:

• Brett Peterkin for the development and implementation of the Clearwater model in Wallis Lake: and
• The NSW Farmers’ Association Hastings River Branch and Port Macquarie Council for acid sulphate soil and acid drainage remediation.

Commended Awards were presented to:

• Brian and Barry Allen of Shoalhaven Oyster Service for development of an environmentally friendly farming system;
• NSW Farmers’ Association Hastings River Branch for Clean-up Australia Day activities;
• Farquhar Inlet Management group for fundraising and lobbying to have Farquhar Inlet opened in April 2008; and
• Rob Moxham for Hawkesbury River Clean-Up following the recent QX disease outbreak.

"Water quality is the Achilles’ heel of the oyster industry - just as seagrass, mangroves and salt marsh are to fishes," OceanWatch Australia’s Simon Rowe said, "with oysters as NSW most valuable fishery, it is so important that we band together to protect harvest zones with others interested in environmental work."

View article on NSW Deparment of Primary Industries website.