How the 2022 floods devastated the oyster leases and how the farming community pulled together to rebuild.
The 2022 floods nearly wiped us out. The freshwater surge came down the river and sat on our leases for weeks. Oysters can handle brackish water for a bit, but prolonged freshwater exposure kills them. We lost about 40% of our stock. Insurance doesn't cover that — there's no crop insurance for oyster farmers. You just have to absorb it and rebuild. We spent months restocking, buying spat, resetting racks. The community helped. Other farmers lent equipment, restaurants pre-ordered to give us cash flow. That's the thing about this industry — when one farm gets hit, everyone feels it. The river connects us all.
Shaun Fisher
Stradbroke
Shaun Fisher is a pioneering First Nations oyster farmer from the Kooka community, dedicated to reviving traditional ecological practices while fostering sustainable innovation. A custodian of cultural heritage, Shaun's work with the robust oyster baskets, in collaboration with Aus Fish, aims to restore the ancient oyster reefs of Morton Bay, a vital part of the environment and his community's totemic history. His commitment to using sustainable practices not only preserves the natural ecosystem but also serves as an inspiring model for future generations. Shaun's passion for balancing environmental stewardship with the socio-economic empowerment of his people underscores his impactful role as a leader in cultural and ecological renaissance.
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