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“Captain Sponge”
Brett Weingarth, better known as “Sponge”, takes groups out onto Pambula Lake and Pambula River to visit the oyster leases and learn about oysters and oyster farming.
It is always a joy to meet someone who loves their work!
Brett Weingarth is an oyster farmer who is so excited about oysters, and the environment they grow in, that he conducts regular tours of the oyster leases on the tidal waters of Pambula Lake (Broadwater), just off Australia’s southeastern Sapphire Coast. Brett grew up “dryland” farming, but moved off the land and onto the water during one of Australia’s worst droughts. He now operates a number of oyster leases on Pambula Lake, the Pambula River, and nearby Merimbula Lake. In the process of learning about oyster farming, Brett has also become knowledgeable about region’s coastal waterways and passionate about protecting them. Oysters have been called the ‘canaries of the waterway’– they are an indicator of estuarine health. Therefore, environmental protection projects and local small business models go hand-in-hand.
The waters here are special: this is where the warm, fast flowing East Australian Current, which originates in the tropical Coral Sea, meets and clashes with the cold, nutrient-filled waters running north from Antarctica. The confluence of these two currents results in a rich marine bio-diversity – and a thriving seafood industry. Branded under “Australia’s Oyster Coast”, Pambula oyster growers take advantage of the daily tidal exchange of waters rushing in from the Pacific Ocean, and the fresh water flowing out from the Pambula and Yowaka Rivers, producing three premium export-quality oyster species: endemic Sydney Rock Oysters, the rarer native Angasi, and the popular Pacific Oysters introduced from Japan.
Although the weather didn’t really favour us the day we had booked for our Oyster Tour, at least we didn’t have to get up too early. The tide-tables meant that our Boxing Day tour left around noon, rather than the usual crack-of-dawn start! That gave us plenty of time to digest our Christmas lunch from the day before, and find the jetty that “Captain Sponge’s Magical Oyster Tours” calls home.
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Captain Sponge’s Oversized Oyster Punt
The “Magical Oyster Tours” boat is functional and sheltered enough for the two-hour cruise around the estuary. Licensed to carry a maximum of 23 people, our smaller group – once they all arrived – had plenty of room on the cushioned benches.
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Introductory Briefing
Before we push away from the shore, Brett gives us the requisite safety briefing.
Oyster Shells on the Shore
And we are off! There is evidence of rich oyster life everywhere we look. For thousand of years before European settlement, Thaua Aboriginal people of the Yuin Nation caught and ate oysters here: all around the coastline, there are ancient kitchen middens piled high with shells.
Oyster Shack
On both sides of the river, oyster trays are tied together on the waters. This tiny oyster shack sports an Australia’s Oyster Coast (AOC) sign, indicating it is part of the AOC growers’ collective.
Disused Oyster Frames
Mangroves on the Foreshore
Mangroves are uniquely adapted to brackish tidal waters. In turn, they help protect the shorelines where they live: their roots and breathing tubes reduce erosion, capture nutrients, and shelter small creatures from waves and water movement.
Recreation on the River
The extensive twists and arms of the Pambula River make for popular recreation sites – especially in the middle of an Australian summer.
Kayaks
Holiday-makers are out with kayaks …
Jet Skis at the Dock
… power boats and jet skis.
Aluminium Tinnie at the Oyster Shed
I guess the oysters aren’t too worried by all the other activity on the water. Nor do they care about public holidays. People are busy at work at the Broadwater Oyster’s buildings.
Double Kayak
I always laugh when I see two people in a kayak: I had an instructor who called these double kayaks “divorce boats”. It can be difficult for two people to stay coordinated, leading to potential struggles maintaining the desired direction.
“Oyster Farm 81/091”
There are countless farms on the lake. In numbered lots, oyster baskets stretch out on the waves, …
Neat Rows
… running in straight lines in all directions, …
Oyster Lease
… or straining in curves against the currents. Clearly, every farmer has their preferred method of growing these popular bivalve molluscs.
Working the Farm
There is a lot of work in oyster farming, but Brett says he loves being on the water and choosing his own hours.
Oyster Beds
Oysters need to be tumbled around in a semi-controlled way or their shells will become too thin and flat. The trays are covered, protecting them from the sun and from predators.
Brett Goes Overboard!
Brett hangs off the side of his punt …
Lifting the Lid
… to check the size and health of his crop.
Oysters in their Frame
Fruits of the Farm
Oysters have to be eaten (or cooked or processed) fresh. Tour participants had the opportunity to “shuck” fresh oysters with different purpose-built knives before we all got to taste-test the produce.
Sapphire Waters
As we are heading back to the dock, there is a break in the weather and the sapphire waters that give this stretch of coastline its name shine through.
Wild Oats XI
Before heading home for the day, we stopped at another wharf, one town over: Snug Cove, in Eden, where the crippled maxi yacht Wild Oats XI had limped in after failing to complete the Sydney to Hobart yacht race because of a broken hydraulic ram.
There is always something interesting happening on our local waters.
Our oyster tour was most enjoyable, informative, and – best of all – tasty!
Until next time,
Safe Sailing!
