The project aims to a) resolve a lack of direction for the oyster industry's R & D investment and b) provide direction for the industry's growth. In order to construct this it is essential to examine:
• Market development
• Production efficiencies
• Supply chain management
• Environmental sustainability
• Community perception
• Industry structure
• Human capital
• Regulatory environment
• Financial performance

The overarching objective is to facilitate industry growth, value and increase farm profitability, hence the reason for a Business Plan rather than a strategic plan.

The Consortium has purposely named the project ‘Business Plan’ as it needed a plan that;
• is more than a strategic plan confined to R & D purposes
• will contain achievable profitability and growth goals having examined industry financials and other constraints
• will propose models for conducting the future ‘business’ of the oyster industry, one of which is likely to be a new incorporated national entity

Each state has varying levels of strategic plans, some designed for policy direction, others for R&D, but none examine the industry at a national level. To assist industry set future strategies an analysis of the national industry and development of a 5 year business plan is required. The business plan will be used to guide industry advocacy, policy and R&D groups at a state and national level.