Oyster workshop kicks off river repair effort in Richmond
More than 60 women attended the 2025 Water Women Campout at Flat Rock, Ballina, with one clear highlight: building oyster restoration structures for the Richmond River. Led by OzFish’s Zoe White, the hands-on workshop offered participants the chance to help bring back local oyster reefs by assembling Robust Oyster Baskets (ROBs) on-site.
“There were some heavy topics across the weekend, with our waterways facing a lot of challenges,” said Zoe. “This oyster reef building workshop gave people something positive to act on.”
The Richmond River estuary, once known for its healthy oyster reefs, has experienced significant ecological decline since the 1970s due to disease, pollution, and habitat loss. That decline has negatively impacted oyster reefs, fish numbers, and the overall health of the system.
Oysters play a vital role in cleaning estuarine environments. Each shellfish can filter multiple litres of water per hour, removing fine sediment, algae, and excess nutrients. This natural filtration improves water clarity, supports seagrass growth, and improves conditions for juvenile fish. These are key benefits for anyone casting a line in the region.
“A lot of the women were surfers,” explained Zoe. “So, when they saw how oysters improve water quality, the connection clicked. If we want better, cleaner waves, we need cleaner rivers.”
The workshop saw around 20 ROBs constructed using steel mesh and recycled oyster shells. These units mimic natural reef shapes and offer oysters a stable, elevated surface to attach and grow. Once deployed, they’ll form the foundation for new shellfish reefs in degraded areas of the river.
“As soon as they got on the staple guns, everyone lit up,” said Zoe. “They could see this wasn’t just symbolic. It was practical and powerful.”
A live aquarium display showed how quickly oysters can clear dirty water. For many participants, it was their first time seeing the direct connection between river restoration and coastal conditions.
The Water Women Campout was supported by Surfers for Climate, and provided a platform for creating the first community-built units for OzFish’s Richmond River Oyster Restoration Project Trial.
“This is just the start,” said Zoe. “There’s so much potential when you bring together the science, the community, and people who already love the water.”
The restoration trial is set to commence in the Richmond River later in the year. The project aims to boost water quality and improve habitat for estuary species like bream, whiting, and flathead. The work is made possible through local support and community effort and will play a key role in restoring the fishing potential of the Richmond River.