Field Trips

Port Stephens and the Hunter River are hotspots for oyster reefs and oyster aquaculture in NSW. The two exciting field trips included in the ICSR program will provide outstanding insights into both these locations. A packed lunch and afternoon tea will be provided. 

Cruise the beautiful waters of the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park on the Moonshadow to view the first large-scale Sydney Rock Oyster reef restoration project in NSW, led by staff from NSW DPI Fisheries. Launching a stone's throw away from the conference venue in Nelson Bay and cruising to Pindimar in the eastern Port, then up towards Karuah for the western location, the journey is timed to work with the tides to provide the best view of the new restoration sites. Along the way we will sight some of the remaining remnant natural reefs in Port Stephens, hear about the outstanding and productive local oyster aquaculture industry and likely spot some of the Port's resident Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins.

Hunter River Reefs and Port Stephens Fisheries Institute Field Trip

Depart the conference venue and travel by bus to Stockton, near the mouth of the Hunter River, to see just a sample of the large natural oyster reefs that remain in the highly impacted Hunter River estuary. Despite being the world's largest coal export port, the Hunter River boasts some of the most expansive Sydney Rock Oyster reefs in NSW (perhaps Australia!). The return journey will visit the NSW DPI Fisheries' Port Stephens Fisheries Institute at Taylors Beach to be guided through some of the ground breaking oyster research, hatchery facilities, aquaculture management and other activities being undertaken at this significant research facility.

Photo by: Port Stephens Fisheries Institute