Young Stansbury oyster grower, Kelly Collins (Dalrymple Oyster Farm), loves the lifestyle the aquaculture industry affords, and says everything is positive about an industry where there is always something new happening.

Due to celebrate her 21st birthday in a couple of months, Kelly has been managing the oyster leases owned by her father Rick and his partner, for the past three-and-a-half years while they concentrate on other business interests in the Adelaide Hills.

Kelly Collins, Dalrymple Oyster Farm.

"We virtually had to start from scratch. We did inherit some stock from my Uncle; however, to create a commercial venture, there was little in the way of infrastructure, sheds and equipment. It was a lot of hard work initially, and there's no manual - you learn by trial and error, and every lease is different", Kelly said.

"The turning point came two-and-a-half years ago, when we were able to purchase a 10 hectare site out on the spit. The oysters take too long to grow in-shore, while the spit gives access to fresh, fast flowing water, which provides more nutrients to fatten the oysters. We now have 15 hectares all up and, since we've been able to employ two staff, I'm able to concentrate on the sales side more."

Working with Kelly are David Agnew, who has just completed his aquaculture traineeship, while Riley Thompson started almost 12 months ago.

Together, they oversee the production of some two million oysters!

"There is a huge turnover in stock," Kelly said. "In the last six months alone we've sold 1.5 million on-grown oysters to growers on the West Coast, which are then fattened for sale. The waters of the West Coast contain better nutrients so the oysters fatten more quickly, while Stansbury oysters have better shell shapes.

"Each year, we try to buy in a million spats, which come from Tasmania at a cost of approximately $20,000, so we always have oysters at different stages. On an average, it takes two years from spat stage to full grown, saleable oyster."

While she feels she hasn't been in the business long enough to really build up a picture of seasonal conditions that affect oyster growing, Kelly says, in line with other primary producers, last season was pretty average.

However, just two weeks into the current season, things are looking good, with good growth recorded. Even in the last week the oysters have fattened up considerably. Prices through the co-op have also recently increased, so growers are getting a fair price for their product.

Speaking at the launch of the new season in Adelaide, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Paul Holloway, said the value of South Australia's oyster industry had more than doubled over the past four years, and was now the second highest producing aquaculture sector in SA after tuna.

Mr Holloway said the farm gate value of oyster production in 2001/02 was $13 million, up by $2 million from the previous year, and an increase of $8 million from only four years ago.

"The industry's growth has been a huge success story, and SA oysters are now being eaten all around the world - in Asia, Europe, South Africa and the Middle East."

Kelly echoes those comments, saying she, too, in the past four years, has seen an increase in sales, the establishment of new markets and an increase in product demand, with more growers entering the industry.

"And I think a great deal of our success can be attributed to the fact we all work together as a State, and not against each other. Members of the SA Oyster Growers Association are all supportive, no-one ever says no when you ask for advice.

"Also, our waters are clean, and regulations put in place make sure the industry is safe. It is a great industry to be in", she said.

A typical day

For Kelly and her team, it can be a seven-day-a-week job, especially during the three months before Christmas, as they work to fill orders from all over Australia. Locally, they are on the menu at local hotels, or sold unopened to a rapidly increasing clientele.

A typical day can be spent grading oysters, loading the boat and working out on the leases fencing and checking stock, or making spat trays, but it is a lifestyle she has come to love.

"Previously I worked in the hospitality industry, but got a taste of what was involved in the oyster lease working during school holidays for my Uncle Dan.

"Moving to Stansbury full time was a good move; I love the lifestyle and the people."

And talking to Kelly last week, you are left with no doubt she knows her oysters, even if she can't bring herself to eat them au naturale!