This project is directly aligned with the FRDC’s national research priority ‘Developing new and emerging aquaculture growth opportunities’. The demonstrated interest from a number of parties in tropical oyster aquaculture makes them well placed as candidates for the FRDC’s target of advancing ‘two or more emerging aquaculture species’. However, the lack of robust scientific names is problematic for the developing tropical rock oyster industry in several ways.
Firstly, it creates problems for regulation, for example, with permits and licences being issued under species names that are likely incorrect. For example, the tropical black-lip oyster is often referred to as Saccostrea echinata, however this name almost certainly correctly designates a smaller, spined oyster that also exists within Australia, but with a much broader range than the tropical blacklip. This issue needs to be resolved urgently to avoid confusion between farmers and regulators in the future.
Secondly, it impedes industry development, i.e., in Queensland, where there is reluctance to allow farming of new species until their true species identity and distribution is ascertained (John Dexter, Fisheries QLD, pers. comm.).
Thirdly, confusion regarding species may also lead to inefficiencies in improvement of production, as hatchery practices developed for one species may be incorrectly applied to another that is mistakenly thought to be the same.
Therefore, a revision of the taxonomy of these oyster species is urgently required.