"One of the more pervasive aspects of European settlement was the pollution of the air and water." (source)
"The indications are that we will not have, inside the Bellinger-Kalang, an oyster industry within the next two years...” (
source)
"The Aborigines on the coastal regions feasted on oysters and shell
beds can be found in the many kitchen middens along the coast. Some of
these middens have been carbon-dated to ten thousand years." (
source)
Oyster growers on the NSW Mid North Coast are going to grow
Sydney Rock Oysters in
land-based tanks now to control water quality. "The Bellinger River was closed for 270 days last year due to heavy rainfall." (
source)
Along
the Bellinger River catchment and the Kalang River dense settlements
sprawl along that are not on any sewer system. The majority of the rural
blocks are on an on-site sewage management system (
OSMS).
In 2008 sewage bacteria really hit the filter feeding oyster beds. "The
NSW Food Authority closed the Kalang River at Urunga in August while
a search was made for
norovirus, which causes
gastroenteritis in
humans." (
source)
Sewage discharge and
shellfish don't mix
"
The Bellingen Shire Council says septic systems in the river
catchment have been identified as a possible source of the
pollution...One of the potential contamination sources are privately
operated onsite sewage management systems." (
source)
Aquaculture farmers have been waiting for seven years for the
Kalang River to reopen to oyster harvesting. "
Protracted river testing,
analysis and meetings began with riverside
septics found to be high on the list of culprits, especially on Newry
Island and along Urunga’s Atherton Dr." (
source). Additionally the "Urunga sewage treatment plant, holiday cabins, two
caravan parks adjacent to the river." were also mentioned as sources of contamination. (
source)
After the endemic totem of the river, the Bellinger River turtle has been
pushed into extinction, the question of water quality and river health is an acute one for the entire catchment.
Updates:
Dairy growth in north-west Tasmania causing concern for oyster farmers: effluent run-off from farms.
abc 13.08.2015
Images:
Beert, Osias, Still life with oysters, c. 1610
Bellingen tiles
