Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (OsHV-1 microvariant, POMS) is a disease first detected in New South Wales (NSW) in 2010 and in Tasmania in 2016 and has had a significant adverse impact on the industry. The key strategies recommended to manage POMS have included the development of disease resistant Pacific oysters and the development of alternate species for farming. The western rock oyster (Saccostrea sp.) is being considered as an alternative species in South Australia (SA) as this species is an intertidal oyster and a potential species to diversify the SA oyster industry and decrease the adverse impact of POMS.

This project will focus on developing techniques to maximise survival and growth of native oyster aquaculture at different environmental conditions and locations in Australia.