TRADITIONALLY Port Stephens was built on fishing and oyster farming.

Today both of those industries are under increasing pressure.

As far back as November 1913 the port was reported to be a “Seafood Goldmine” in the Daily Telegraph.

The article featured a photograph of Mr J Lund of Nelson Bay loading part of his 60 dozen lobster catch onto the steamer “Karuah”.

Port Stephens was being promoted as the seafood bowl that would continue to supply growing markets in Newcastle and Sydney.

Over time the traditional industries have steadied in the wake of tourism and the associated businesses.

A wander along Teramby Street on the waterfront in Nelson Bay will reveal a very different scene with tourist and charter boats along with luxury craft taking up the majority of space inside the marina.

What is noticeable is the lack of fishing trawlers which dominated the moorings not so long ago.

In 1983 there were 23 working trawlers based in the port.

Today there are two.

What has brought about the demise of the trawler fleet?

I can only report on anecdotal evidence as I have not researched the returns through the Newcastle and Sydney Fish markets.

The costs to run a trawler have skyrocketed in recent times with the price of diesel being a major factor.

The return for effort has decreased with fish and prawn catches continuing to drop alarmingly.

I was told some years ago, by an experienced trawlerman, that the fish caught today, mainly flathead and sharks, were considered as ‘bycatch’ and washed overboard in the days when fish of higher quality and numbers were returned to the Co-op.

The introduction of the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park, around 20 years ago, restricted the areas in which the local trawlers could work, however, in my opinion this is not a major reason for the collapse of the trawling industry.

I do not believe that trawling could have survived even if the marine park was not declared.

What disappoints me is how the local trawlermen, who have contributed so significantly to the development of our community, have been treated.

Some years back I supported the efforts of these men in their attempt to leave the industry with dignity by applying for a “buy out”.

This request was disrespectfully denied, forcing the fishermen to continue to work against their wishes.

Other fishing endorsements, lobster and beach hauling continue to supply quality local product to the shelves of our outlets.

The mullet season around Easter remains sustainable with fresh local mullet eagerly purchased.

Crabbing and fishing inside the harbour remain productive and sustainable and it is my hope that it continues to be as not everyone can catch their own fish and local seafood is far preferable to farmed and imported.

I support sustainable commercial fishing.

Back in 2013 following four years of research and interviews I published a book ”Oysterman” which told of the highs and lows of the local Port Stephens oyster industry.

The introduction of the Pacific oyster in the mid-1980s all but destroyed the industry, which had been written about in the 1940s as “The Biggest Oyster Farm in the World”.

Today it is a struggle for those oyster families who have chosen to remain on the water.

Oyster farmers are the most resilient people I have ever met.

There are so many hurdles to overcome before the magnificent oysters, for which we are famous, arrive on the shelves.

Water quality, salinity, temperature and theft are but a few of the obstacles along the three years of oyster growth.

If that is not enough, the growers need to contend with viruses and parasites which can devastate a crop overnight.

The latest is QX (Queensland unknown) a parasite which attacks the Sydney Rock oyster.

It must be realised that the parasite is not harmful to human consumption and that the local oysters for sale remain of the highest quality.

I would encourage visitors and locals alike to get behind our oyster growers as they, like the fishermen, have been the backbone of this community since its very beginnings.

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE