Coffin Bay oyster growers record losses over $3m following food safety recall

Coffin Bay oyster growers have experienced losses of more than $3m after a food safety scare that forced a huge product recall – but they’re getting back on their feet.

Coffin Bay oyster growers’ losses from a food safety scare will total more than $3m.

Producers believe about 193,000 dozen oysters were caught up in a recall after the outbreak of vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) infection.

Their losses of about $3.1m include the cost of the oysters and their disposal or processing.

The Vp outbreak prompted the department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) to impose a harvest closure on November 16, and Food Standard Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) to issue an oyster recall.

This week, SA Health varied emergency orders allowing three producers – Angel Seafood, Pristine Oyster Farm, and Southern Eyre Seafood – permission to harvest and sell oysters again at Point Longnose, in Coffin Bay.

But 29 other growers are still working with the government to gain similar permissions.

Primary Industries Minister David Basham said restrictions on oyster growers would be progressively lifted as businesses demonstrated their control measures to protect consumers.

He said an investigation did not determine what had caused the spike in cases, but it was suspected high temperatures after harvesting may have contributed.

Oysters SA chairman Rob Kerin says testing is continuing. Picture: James Elsby

While Vp is a naturally occurring bacteria, it can cause illness in people if oysters are not kept cool enough before they’re eaten.

Oysters SA chairman Rob Kerin said oyster and water quality testing were continuing.

He said producers welcomed the opportunity to get back to business in time for the important Christmas trade.

“If we had to stay shut it wouldn’t have been the end of the world, because we’d still have the oysters (in the water),” he said.

“But it would be a hell of a missed window of opportunity for sales.”

A working group made up of industry and government personnel is helping manage the product recall and ensuring best practice quality controls are in place.

Growers affected by the outbreak can receive free financial counselling from Rural Business

Support, and other help through PIRSA’s Family and Business Support program (FaBS).

Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula chief executive Ryan Viney said uncertainty created by the harvest closure had affected the wider Eyre Peninsula community – but it was resilient.

“There is a great sense of community, and they will get behind our local oyster industry,” he said.

“The region has excellent producers … and it is great to hear we can put Coffin Bay oysters back on the Christmas Day menu.”

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