While the Narooma Oyster Festival has been cancelled for 2020 the demand for oysters on the south coast has not missed a beat with local oyster growers refocusing supply of their product to a local market intent, of enjoying local produce and supporting the local oyster industry.
One such oyster farmer is Brian Coxon of Wagonga Inlet Oysters on Riverview Road, Narooma.
"The only way to get oysters. 10 doz at 7am fresh as". Photo Tim Burke
Brian is of the old school of oyster growers who still prefers to grow his oysters on trays rather than in baskets.
Brain, a third generation oyster farmer said “I was brought up on the water, I like being on the water, I like being outside.”
The third generation farmer, specialising in Sydney Rock Oysters, has a passion for the Wagonga Inlet and has a passion for the oysters that it grows.
"The South Coast oysters are of exceptional quality and the Wagonga Inlet has long been associated with the best of the best".
Like most farmers on the South Coast the 2019 drought hit hard with the Wagonga Inlet levels falling to a point where Brian had to work solidly to keep his stocks intact.
“Oyster farming needs fresh water. Famine on the land means famine in the sea. If the oysters have poor growth, it’s difficult to maintain their condition and they’re harder to sell.” he told Digital producer Gemma Simpson.
Now that the rains have come Brian's oyster stocks have regained that delectable plumpness that all oyster lovers on the south coast, familiar with the exceptional quality of our local produce, know and love.
While the export trade and sales to restaurants may have slumped for the present the demand for our local oysters, by locals, is encouraging for our local suppliers.
Brian's oyster sheds on Riverview Road, just 3km from Narooma bridge are open daily for opened and unopened oysters.
For larger orders it might pay to ring ahead on 4476 2082 - local home delivery to Narooma available for orders over 5doz
cash and cards acceptable
