Port Lincoln Times [article
Date: Published September 2006
reported by: Billie Harrison
Phone (08) 8682 1055

BRENDAN Guidera believes Coffin Bay is the best place in Australia to grow oysters so it should come as no surprise that the Coffin Bay oyster farm he owns with his brothers Nick and Tony has just won silver in the Sydney Royal Aquaculture Competition.

Pacific oysters grown by Pristine Oyster Farm at Coffin Bay have won the top award in the competition for the last four years: silver in 2005 and 2006 (no gold was awarded), and gold in 2003 and 2004. Mr Guidera said the oysters were judged on flavour, sweetness, taste, aftertaste, richness, dryness and visual condition.

The brothers have been farming oysters for 12 years, starting in Cowell and expanding to Coffin Bay six years ago. Currently they only export about seven per cent of their stock but the company is looking to grow this side of the business. Mr Guidera said the Eyre Regional Development Board and Austrade had played a big part in helping the company get established overseas.

Pristine Oyster Farm has been exporting to Japan for about a year and is currently exporting 500 dozen oysters a week to Hong Kong. Samples have been sent to Taiwan, Korea and Dubai in an attempt to break into more overseas markets. Feedback from Dubai has been especially positive after Pristine Oyster Farm oysters were included on the menu for a South Australian food promotion dinner there in July.

Mr Guidera said feedback from the chefs was that they were impressed with the size and flavour.