New oyster reef exhibition hits the road

A new exhibition has launched in Nelson Bay highlighting the importance of restoring oyster reefs and the work of our oyster reef team and our partners across the state.

The exhibition Bidhiinja: Restoring our oyster reefs was opened on February 6 at the Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre and will remain there until March 8, hosted by the Tomaree Museum Association.

This collaboration between DPI Fisheries and the renowned Australian National Maritime Museum, tells the rich story of oyster reefs.

It highlights their cultural significance, history and the important ecological role they play in estuaries.

The exhibition will tour coastal regional New South Wales after its time in Port Stephens.

DPI Fisheries Senior Fisheries Manager Charlotte Jenkins coordinates the Oyster Reef Restoration team and attended the event.

She said seeing the displays come to life at Port Stephens has been a real highlight of her work.

“The launch was a great event and a wonderful celebration of our partnership with the National Maritime Museum and our endeavours to bring the oyster reef story directly to the community,” she said.

“Bidhiinja shows both the loss of oyster reefs during colonisation and the recent movement to revive these incredible habitats.”

“The exhibition’s beautiful artwork, commissioned from proud Yaegl woman and artist Frances Belle Parker, showcases the exhibition's strong links to Sea Country.”

Augmented Reality filters allow viewers to immerse themselves underwater in a thriving oyster reef complete with schooling fish,” she said.

Bidhiinja (meaning oyster, derived from the Eora language of the Sydney region), is a travelling exhibition that will be hosted in 10 regional coastal venues in NSW in 2024-2025.

Ms Jenkins said this is a great opportunity for people in regional areas to catch a high-quality exhibition.

“It’s a beautiful immersive experience showcasing everything from the oyster boom and subsequent demise of the natural beds to the science behind shellfish reef ecology and oyster reef restoration.”

Entry is free so get down to Nelson Bay or look out for it in a regional venue near you!

You can find out more about the exhibition here.

NSW DPI Fisheries is further supporting the exhibition with a series of local talks on the new oyster reef restoration and research project.

Keep an eye on our #nsw_ marineestate Instagram for more information on times.

Oyster Reefs Restoration and Research is a DPI Fisheries project funded via the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy.