Parasite leaves billionaire Andrew Forrest’s Carnarvon oyster business on the rocks

The expansion of oyster farming in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region is on the rocks because of a disease breakout at a trial site. 

Australian food company Harvest Road, owned by billionaires Andrew and Nicola Forrest, has removed its oyster baskets from the Carnarvon Fascine as it reassesses the future of aquaculture there.

A species of Steinhausia, a type of spore-forming parasite, was found to be the cause.

A Harvest Road spokeswoman said the disease struck its oyster stock in Carnarvon earlier this year.

“The business responded to the detection of the disease immediately and has been working closely with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD),” she said.

“The business is assessing the potential for further aquaculture trials and research and development at the Carnarvon sites.

“We are committed to the long-term development of the aquaculture industry in Western Australia.” 

A blow for industry

The outbreak is a blow for an industry working to diversify in Carnarvon, which last year experienced a decline in its commercial fishing sector when Sea Harvest moved its prawning base to Fremantle and made 14 local staff redundant.

Harvest Road had been planning to expand its oyster trial, which started in 2020 using rock oysters and hooded oysters, from a two-hectare site to an additional 50 hectares.

The project received $125,000 in state government funding during 2019.

Carnarvon Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Paul Dixon said the sudden loss of the oyster farm was a shock.

“We were very surprised and clearly disappointed since it was something that was … going to be an addition to Carnarvon,” he said.

There have been several projects in recent years trying to establish a foothold for a north-west oyster industry.

Exmouth’s Bay of Rest and Maxima Pearling Company has been running its own trials of tropical species around Dampier and Cone Bay.

Research needed

Different Steinhausia species have been found in wild and cultured shellfish across the state, including the Kimberley, Gascoyne, Perth and Great Southern regions.

But DPIRD deputy chief veterinary officer Katie Webb said very little was known about the different species of the parasite and their life cycle.

“And under what circumstances they cause significant disease,” she said.

“DPIRD will work with industry to consider future research needs in relation to Steinhausia species in WA, including consideration of how and when they are likely to cause disease and how this might be managed.”

Dr Webb said testing by DPIRD had ruled out any regulated or reportable diseases requiring a biosecurity response at Harvest Road’s Carnarvon site.

The outbreak was unrelated to Harvest Road’s Albany operations.