New technology determines the origin of oysters and could increase exports

Tasmanian Oyster Co. is in the process of developing a new CO₂ based laser technology, that will etch their logo into their oyster shells.

By making the oysters identifiable, consumers will easily be able to determine  the exact origin of their oyster and confirm they are consuming Tasmanian sea-grown oysters.

Application of the technology will add an extra $5 to the price of a dozen.

It is hoped that by utilising this technology, oyster exports will increase by 25 per cent and could create 25 new jobs. This could potentially see the value of Tasmania's oyster industry increase by $7 million and bring $3.5 million extra revenue for Tasmanian Oyster Co.

The initial plan is for this laser etching to start out with Tasmanian oysters and potentially to other shellfish lines in the future.

"Our oysters are held in high regards as far as quality, but when you get into a market they are lumped with South Australian or New South Wales oysters and become a generic product," said North West oyster farmer John Poke.

Poke says the technology is designed to protect the work and investment that goes into producing and marketing high-quality Tasmanian oysters.

"Once an oyster is removed from its packaging and a consumer picks up an individual oyster there is nothing to define where the oyster came from, but with this type of technology there is an assurance for the consumer that they are eating the right product."

The Federal Government's Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre and a co-funded grant are assisting in the development of this technology.

Simon Rechner, managing director of Tasmanian Oyster Co, refers to the Tasmanian oyster industry in a post COVID world saying, "We think Australian oysters are some of the best in the world, but being able to market overseas is very difficult. An oyster sold in Singapore, Japan and Australia, without something on it to say where it comes from, could be from anywhere – our new technology changes that and gives us a great opportunity post-COVID to grow our brand."

Managing director of AMGC, Jens Goennemann said the technology will add a lot of value via trace-ability and will help Tasmanian oyster growers in export markets by presenting a “united front”.

The technology also gives the Tasmanian Oyster Co. the opportunity to streamline the processing of shellfish, provide greater export potential and to potentially allow them to export this new technology in the future.