THOUSANDS OF OYSTERS VANISH IN SHOCKING THEFT – PILBARA RESEARCH PROJECT IN JEOPARDY
BY ASAD KHAN
KARRATHA, Western Australia – A groundbreaking initiative to establish a rock oyster industry in the Pilbara has faced a significant setback after thousands of research oysters were allegedly stolen from a property in Cossack.
The theft has not only caused financial loss but also hindered research progress, potentially delaying the development of an environmentally sustainable industry in the region.
Warren Ure, a researcher spearheading the project, recently returned to his property after a six-week absence to find evidence of deliberate theft.
“Somebody deliberately cut the cable ties off the gates and removed all the oysters for their own consumption,” he stated.
Approximately 2,500 oysters were stolen, representing around 40% of the research stock.
The stolen oysters were crucial to the project’s aim of developing a thriving tropical oyster market—an industry that is in high demand globally but still underexplored in Australia.
The initiative seeks to provide a sustainable alternative to the Pilbara’s extractive industries, such as mining and gas, which are more environmentally impactful.
“What we’re doing has very low environmental impact. Within days or weeks, there’d be no sign we were even there,” he said, highlighting the eco-friendly nature of the project.
The theft requires considerable effort and knowledge. Ure noted that accessing the oysters involves understanding local water systems and timing, as the oysters are only accessible during specific conditions. This suggests that the perpetrator was familiar with the logistics of oyster farming.
Beyond the financial implications, the loss of research data poses a severe challenge to the project’s progress.
“This has taken away the information we need to develop this industry,” Ure said. “We’ll have to start over to reclaim the lost knowledge.”
The rock oyster industry holds promise for the Pilbara region, offering economic diversification and education and training opportunities for the local community.
“It’s an entirely different mindset compared to extractive industries,” Ure added. “There’s a big demand for tropical oysters, both in Australia and globally.”
He expressed disappointment over the incident and urged the community to support sustainable initiatives like his.
The Pilbara region’s potential for developing a rock oyster industry remains promising, but this setback underscores the challenges faced by pioneering projects that aim to balance innovation with sustainability.
Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Lead Journalist Asad Khan speak with Warren Ure: