The Camden Haven is on the Mid North Coast of NSW, about 400km north of Sydney. There are three towns nestled beneath North Brother mountain (Dooragan National Park) with a population of about 8,000. The relatively small catchment of the Camden Haven River is ideally located in the middle of the growing range of the native Sydney rock oyster. The disease free and Pacific oyster free status of the river allows for the movement of stock to all other growing areas in NSW and Queensland. The low flood area, mild climate and clean, salty river ensure excellent condition, taste and texture of oysters grown in the Camden Haven, as well as an extended season for consumption.

Environmental Care
Camden Haven oysters are naturally grown with minimal environmental impact. The business uses only plastic or plastic coated timber infrastructure (no polluting chemicals) and low impact 4 stroke outboards. Oysters are grown in an unpolluted, low stocked estuarine environment. The land-based nursery has a constant supply of natural clean salt water straight from the adjacent bay.

Health
Camden Haven oysters have no additives. They are grown in a natural disease-free environment and have been selected for disease resistance as well as flavour and quality. Oysters provide an abundance of vitamins and minerals, packed into a high-protein, low-fat, and low-cholesterol package. They are the most concentrated natural source of zinc, also rich in iron, calcium omega -3 and vitamin A.

The Team

Tony Troup has been the owner /manager of the business for 30 years. He has a Master of Science degree and is actively involved in the oyster industry. He is a member of the NSW Shellfish Quality Assurance Committee (NSW SQAC) and Aquaculture Research Advisory Committee (ARAC), which advise the State Minister on shellfish quality assurance and research. He is the coordinator for, and runs the Camden Haven Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (CHSQAP), which is part of the state QAP.

Tony is a director of Select Oyster Company (SOCo) which oversees the Sydney rock oyster breeding program. He is a NSW representative for the Australian Seafood Cooperative Seafood Research Centre (CRC), which is a funding body for seafood research in Australia. He is also a member of the NSW Farmers Association, oyster section.

Sydney rock oysters
The Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata, is native to Australia and commercially grown in New South Wales and southern Queensland. Sydney rock oysters have a rich and creamy nature and are medium sized compared to other varieties. They take up to 4 years to grow to market size. The Sydney rock oysters produced by Camden Haven Oyster Supply are from a selected lines developed by NSW fisheries and chosen for disease resistance, shape, flavour and growth characteristics.

Sydney rock oysters are best consumed when freshly shucked but do have a good shelf life when kept whole - up to 21 days - providing they are kept at the correct temperature (10 to 15 degrees Celsius) and handled safely. Camden Haven Sydney rock oysters are distributed for consumption to wholesalers in NSW and Queensland. Young oysters are sold to other commercial oyster farmers for on-growing. Plate grade Sydney rock oysters will soon be distributed directly to people via orders from this page or by contacting Tony.

Flat Oysters
The native flat oyster, Ostrea angasi, is also produced by Camden Haven Oyster Supply for on-growing to other oyster growers. Flat oysters resemble the NZ bluff oyster and the European Belon Oyster. They have a distinctive, full-bodied taste.

Akoya Oysters
Oysters in which Akoya cultured pearls are grown are in early days of production with Camden Haven Oyster Supply but early successes have produced a high quality pearl and healthy oyster. Renowned for their lustre, akoya pearls are generally white or cream coloured, with overtone colours of rose, silver, or cream. These high grade Australian Pearls are of such quality they do not require bleaching, tinting, dying or skinning.