Contaminant-sensitive oysters are being used to monitor changes in water quality at Port Curtis near Gladstone in a collaborative project involving Coastal CRC scientists from Central Queensland University and Griffith University.

“Specially farmed oysters are being located in cages to a number of sites in the harbour,” said Don Alcock, Communication Manager, Coastal CRC.

As filter feeders, oysters gradually absorb traces of metal suspended in seawater, and so act as a biological indicators of any contaminants that may be present in surrounding waters. There's a concern that the industrial port may have elevated levels of heavy metals, especially copper, and there has been instances of shell deterioration in some species of crabs. The project will also measure enzymes in the oysters, which indicate their stress level and overall health.

However, local fisherman thinking of getting a free feed of oysters should think otherwise. Apart from being juvenile and therefore small, and of inferior quality, the oysters have been chemically treated and are not suitable for eating. For information contact Dr. Leonie Andersen, Centre for Environmental Management, Central Queensland University, phone 07 4970 7315 or email: l.andersen@cqu.edu.au