Blue Harvest

Behind the scenes with The Clyde River Pacific Oyster farmers

The Clyde River is located four hours south of Sydney and is known as the purest major river on Australia’s East Coast. The Clyde’s sources are almost entirely contained in protected, uninhabited National Parks and only 5% of its catchment has been cleared which is why the water is so clean.

 

The Clyde River is located four hours south of Sydney and is known as the purest major river on Australia’s East Coast. The Clyde’s sources are almost entirely contained in protected, uninhabited National Parks and only 5% of its catchment has been cleared which is why the water is so clean. Fed by pure and nutrient rich waters from its protected upper catchment, the fast flowing Clyde River has long been famous for its premium oysters.

Clyde River Pacific Oysters is made up of a small group of oyster growing families, most of whom have been farming oysters on the Clyde for generations. They have perfected their growing techniques over this time to produce an oyster distinctive for its large size, and perfect appearance, taste and texture. A magnificent world class Pacific oyster that grows to over 400g in weight, presenting a top end product that is unique in the marketplace.

Proud, 5th generation oyster farmer Ben Ralston of Ralston Brothers Oysters tells of how he grew up on the Clyde River “At the age of seven I was given my first boat: a seven-foot rowboat. I used to row this boat around the front of my fathers shed fishing and just loved life. There would be times where the current from the tide would drag me away from the oyster shed and passing oyster farmers would see me too far away from where I should be. They would pull their boat up next to mine, throw me a rope and tow me back to the front of the shed. That is when my passion for the oyster industry started’

A recent recipient of the FRDC Nuffield Australia farming scholarship, Ben’s focus is on changing the culture of the Australian oyster industry by delivering a value product right through the supply chain and a great experience for the consumer.

Mark Ralston, of Ralston CM, remembers a time when oyster leases were bought and sold on the back of beer-stained coasters. ‘But that was in the old days, back in the 70’s and 80’s. Things are done very differently now” says Mark.

Marks grandfather was one of the original oyster farmers on the Clyde River, chipping oysters off the rocks or rounding them up from the river bed. Marks father introduced the beginnings of what would later grow into the ‘stick and tray’ method of farming oysters. A method still used today. Mark took over the business at 21. “There was never any doubt that I would do anything else. Oysters are in my blood and I love it but I’ve also fallen out of love with it pretty quick too at different times over the years.”

Ralston CM is now run by Mark’s son Ryan, daughter Jade and her husband Greg Norris. Mark says ‘Its great to know it will go on to be a fourth and maybe fifth generation farm one day. The first step will be switching to new growing techniques, which will be costly, but for the first time in a long time I feel hopeful. Change can be really good.”

The Clyde River is not just the domain for multiple generation oyster farmers – Ray Wilcox is a builder by trade from Wyoming in the US and Max Ladmore is a builder from Batemans Bay. The two mates became business partners when they took up a 12 hectare oyster lease on the Clyde four years ago as a ‘hobby’ and started WilMore Oysters. It was a challenging start for Ray and Max as thieves stole a considerable amount of their oyster stock in the early days. However they were able to get back in business and what started as something interesting to occupy them in retirement has turned into a serious and progressive business producing some of the most magnificent Sydney Rock and Pacific Oysters on the Clyde.

With the mix of old and new blood, traditional skills and innovation the future for the Clyde River oyster farmers looks very promising with their unique oysters appearing on the finest menus and tables around Australia.

Clyde River Pacific oysters are individually graded by weight with a numbering system that runs from 5 to 1 with 1 being the largest oysters at over 320g in weight. See table below.

Clyde River Pacific Oyster Sizing

GRADE

NUMBER

WEIGHT (grams)

Doz. per Bag 1

TRADITIONAL GRADE NAME

No.1 320+ 8 Grande
No.2 260 – 319 10 Jumbo
No.3 210 – 259 12 Extra Extra Large
No.4 160 – 209 15 Extra Large
No.5 135 – 159 18 Large

¹ 28 Bags per pallet